Creme Anglaise for Apricot Pudding

Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl until combined; set aside.

Put milk, cream, vanilla bean, and seeds into a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low. Pour half of hot-milk mixture into reserved yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Pour mixture back into pan.

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture coats the back of a spoon. Pour through a fine sieve into a metal bowl set in ice-water bath; discard solids. Let stand; stirring occasionally, until cold, about 20 minutes.