French Vanilla Cafe Au Lait - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons sugar, to taste
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
3 cups hot strong brewed coffee (best with a dark French roast, or a coffee and chicory blend)

Preparation

Combine the half-and-half, milk, and sugar in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan.
Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the milk mixture and add the bean to the saucepan.
Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring from time to time. Or, you can heat the milk and vanilla bean over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Remove from heat and let steep for 20 minutes to infuse the flavors. Reheat just before serving.
Remove the vanilla bean from the milk mixture and whisk for 1 minute, until frothy.
Fill each mug with 1/2 cup of hot coffee and 1/2 cup milk mixture.
Serve immediately.