SALTED CARAMEL-VANILLA BEAN CUSTARD TART

Steps:

• Pour whole milk into large saucepan. With sharp paring knife, cut slit down middle of vanilla bean. Scrape seeds from inside bean; add seeds and bean to milk. Slowly heat to boiling over low heat.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix sugar and cornstarch with whisk. Add egg yolks; mix with whisk until combined. Slowly add about 1/2 cup of the hot milk to egg mixture, stirring constantly. Return mixture to saucepan; cook and stir until thickened. Remove from heat.
• Press custard through fine-mesh strainer into bowl. Add 1/4 cup butter, one piece at a time, stirring with whisk until incorporated. Press plastic wrap on surface of custard. Refrigerate until completely cooled, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Place cookies in food processor. Cover; process with on-and-off pulses until fine crumbs form. (Or place cookies in resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal bag and finely crush with rolling pin or meat mallet.) In medium bowl, mix cookie crumbs and melted butter. Press mixture into bottom and up side of 11-inch tart pan. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until set. Cool.
• In medium saucepan, heat caramels and evaporated milk over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until caramels are melted. Stir until smooth; stir in salt. Remove from heat.
• To assemble, pour salted caramel into crust; spread evenly. Let stand at least 15 minutes to set up. Remove custard from refrigerator and stir with whisk until smooth. Carefully spread custard over caramel layer. Serve immediately.