Bird's Custard Powder
I was thinking about trying Nanaimo bars, so I found out the required custard powder was available at World Market, which we have one of in Edina - not too far. So I picked one up for around $7.
I got it home and looked at the ingredient list. It's 99.9% cornstarch, give or take 0.1%. Seriously, a little salt, some annatto for coloring and flavoring. I haven't tasted it yet, but will bet right now that it's vanilla or vanillin powder. You even have to add the sugar yourself.
I'm laughing at myself. I'll use this, but when it's gone, I can just use cornstarch. A little salt, something for coloring - achiote is the same as annatto and I'd probably get the right color long before I added enough to taste it. Turmeric would work, too. Or a tiny bit of yellow food coloring, or just accept that it's white instead of cream color. Vanilla powder is white, but adding liquid vanilla with the milk would color it nicely, too.
I also noted that the Bird's was a little short-dated, expiring in December. I don't think cornstarch actually expires, so I'm comfortable blowing right past this limit.
And you can get a lot of cornstarch for $7. The label's fun to look at, though. I think I'll keep the package, once empty. No regrets.
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