Maple Custard

INGREDIENTS
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3 whole duck eggs
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1/3 cup real maple syrup
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1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 cups whole milk
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Ground nutmeg
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Hot water
These custards are delicately sweet. If you prefer a sweeter dessert, add 2-3 tablespoons of additional maple syrup.
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat your oven to 160C.
Fill a kettle with water and heat it just to boiling. Set aside.
Add the milk to a small saucepan, and scald it
In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla.
Slowly whisk the egg mixture into the scalded milk. Strain the custard through a fine mesh strainer (to remove lumps), then pour the mixture into custard cups or oven-safe ramekins (half-full). Sprinkle ground nutmeg on the top of each cup.
Place the ramekins in an oven safe pan and fill the pan with hot water to create a water bath for your custard cups. The water should come halfway up the sides of the cups. (This ensures they cook gently and evenly).
Bake for 35-55 minutes, or until the custards are set but still “loose”.
Remove from the oven and serve immediately if you like warm custard. Otherwise, refrigerate for up to 24 hours before serving for a silky smooth, chilled custard.