butter (for greasing baking dish or custard cups)
3 c. milk
3 eggs
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 1 1/2 quart baking dish or 6 custard cups with butter. Pour the milk into a medium saucepan and heat over just until small bubbles begin to rise to the surface. Remove from the heat. Break the eggs into a large bowl and beat lightly with a fork. Add the sugar and salt. Pour the hot milk into the bowl and stir. Add the vanilla and stir again. Pour the mixture into the baking dish or custard cups. Place in a large baking pan half filled with hot water.

Bake for 20-25 minutes for the cups, 30-35 minutes for the baking dish. (Look inside the oven once or twice while the custard bakes. If the water in the baking pan starts to bubble, lower the oven temperature a little so the custard won't become watery.) The custard is done when a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool. Serves 6.