MICROWAVE DF (DAIRY-FREE) PUDDINGS WITH EIGHT FLAVOR OPTIONS

Steps:

• In a 1 ½-2 quart glass bowl, stir together sugar and cornstarch.
• Stir in milk.
• Microwave, uncovered for 7-9 minutes, stirring every 1-2 minutes, until thickened and bubbly.
• In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks well.
• Gradually stir about 1 cup of the hot mixture into the egg yolks to temper them (not scramble!).
• Return all to the hot mixture remaining in the larger bowl, stirring well.
• Microwave uncovered for an additional 2-3 minutes more until the edges are bubbly, stirring every 30 seconds.
• Stir. Cook an additional 30 seconds.
• Stir in remaining margarine or butter and extract.
• Cover the surface with plastic wrap.Serve warm or chilled.
• FLAVOR OPTIONS:.
• MOCHA: Increase sugar to 1 cup. Before cooking the milk-cornstarch mixture, stir in 3 1-oz squares unsweetened chocolate (check label for DF), cut up, and 1 tablespoons instant coffee crystals.
• COCONUT: Stir in 1 cup coconut with the butter & vanilla.
• BUTTERSCOTCH: Substitute packed brown sugar for the sugar and increase margarine or butter to ¼ cup.
• BANANA: Slice 1 banana into the pudding when slightly cooled.
• CITRUS: Increase sugar to 1 cup and cornstarch to 1/3 cup Gradually stir in 1 teaspoons lemon or lime zest and 1/3 cup lemon or lime juice with the margarine or butter and vanilla.
• ALMOND: Reduce the vanilla to 3/4 teaspoons Add 1/2 teaspoons almond extract. Just before serving, sprinkle with sliced almonds.
• MAPLE-NUT: Substitute ½ cup brown sugar for the sugar and ¼ cup maple-flavored syrup or molasses with the milk. Before serving, sprinkle with ¼ cup toasted chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds.