Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      cups          milk
   1      piece         vanilla bean
   5      tablespoons   granulated sugar
   3                    eggs
   1      tablespoon    water

Preparation:

Scald milk, with a piece of vanilla bean added. In mixing bowl, beat together eggs and 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar for 1 minute. Stir in boiling milk, beating constantly until well blended. Meanwhile, in small, heavy saucepan, cook remaining sugar with water, stirring constantly, until sugar is slightly browned. Pour a little of browned sugar from pan in each of 4 custard cups. Fill cups with milk mixture. Place cups in pan containing hot water and bake at 450F for 30 minutes, or until custard is well set and a pointed knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool. Unmold on serving dish. Recipe Source: THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING by Fernande Garvin