Pastry Cream

Split the vanilla bean in half, if using. In a saucepan, bring the milk, split vanilla bean, and first portion of sugar to a boil. While waiting for the milk mixture to boil, whisk the egg yolks together in a separate bowl, until light yellow. Combine the second portion of sugar with the cornstarch and whisk into yolk mixture until smooth. Let the milk mixture cool off just a bit and then tempe