Hot Milk with Maple Syrup

• 1/2 cup of maple syrup (preferably very dark syrup for its strong flavour)
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch (optional)
• 1 egg
• 4 cups milk
• 1 vanilla pod, open, deseeded*; or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• * Only use the pod and keep the seeds for another recipe.

1. Mix maple syrup, cornstarch and egg in a bowl. Beat well. Set aside.
2. Heat the milk with the vanilla pod and nutmeg in a casserole. Once the milk is hot, add a bit of it to the maple syrup mixture to warm it up. Then pour the maple syrup mixture into the hot milk.
3. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
4. Remove the vanilla pod. Pour the hot milk into cups and sprinkle with maple sugar.