Congo Fool

Description
Fool is an old-fashioned custard and fruit dessert native to England, but popular in English-speaking Africa. In the original English fool, gooseberries are traditionally used. In Africa, the custard may be made from coconut milk, and tropical fruits such as mangoes are substituted.

Ingredients

 * 2 cups milk
 * 2 eggs, lightly beaten
 * ½ cup sugar
 * 3 tablespoons water
 * 3 tablespoons sugar
 * ripe fruit: two mangoes, or one papaya, or two bananas, peeled, seeds (if any) removed, and cut into pieces

Directions

 * 1) Make the custard from the first three ingredients: heat the milk in a double boiler, or in a saucepan over low heat.
 * 2) Do not boil.
 * 3) In a bowl, mix the half cup of sugar into the beaten eggs.
 * 4) Slowly add about a quarter of the heated milk to the egg-sugar mixture, while stirring continuously.
 * 5) Slowly stir the egg-sugar-milk mixture into the remaining heated milk.
 * 6) Cook on low heat, until it thickens into a custard, stirring gently and continuously.
 * 7) Spoon it into a clean bowl and place in the refrigerator to cool.
 * 8) While the custard is cooling, cook the fruit: bring the water and three tablespoons of sugar to a boil in a saucepan.
 * 9) Add fruit pieces.
 * 10) Reduce heat and cook until tender, 5 – 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
 * 11) Mash fruit, or press it through a sieve.
 * 12) Spoon it into a clean bowl and place in the refrigerator to cool.
 * 13) To serve, gently fold together custard and fruit.
 * 14) Spoon the mixture into serving bowls.
 * 15) Top with whipped cream, if desired.
 * 16) Serve immediately.