Wow-your-guests French Vanilla Ice Cream

Ingredients

6 egg yolks

2 cups milk

1 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 vanilla bean, split lengthways

2 cups heavy cream

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

In top of a double boiler, beat egg yolks and milk until well blended. Stir in sugar and salt, and add vanilla bean, first scraping the seeds into the mixture. Put over lower part of a double boiler and cook, stirring constantly until thick, and the mixture coats a metal spoon,

Cool, then cover and refirgerate until chilled. Remove vanilla bean, stir in cream, and add vanilla extract.

Pour into ice cream maker and prepare according to manufacturer’s instructions. When frozen, pack down and allow to ripen for about 2 hours before serving (if you can actually wait that long). Makes about one litre.

Try adding pureed fruit or melted chocolate - see the recipe for Easy Vanilla Ice Cream.