Discover how to make real vanilla bean ice cream with this delious recipe. The real vanilla beans are steeped in this custard that literally perfumes the ice cream releasing its aromatic flavor.

Makes about 1 quart

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups whole organic milk
2 vanilla beans
5 large organic egg yolks
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup organic heavy cream

Method:

Add milk to a medium saucepan. Halve the vanilla beans lengthwise with a knife. With your finger or knife, scrape the vanilla beans into the saucepan with the milk and add vanilla pod to the mixture. Stir and bring mixture to a simmer and steep for 30 minutes. Strain mixture, reserve milk and discard solids.

Combine egg yolks and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until very thick and pale yellow, for about 3-5 minutes. Return milk to a simmer.

Prep an ice water bath.

Temper the egg yolks by slowly adding half of the warm milk mixture to the egg yolk mixture while stirring constantly until blended. Add new mixture to sauce pan with remaining milk. Stir consistently over low heat until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon.

Remove saucepan from heat and immediately stir in cream. Place an empty bowl over the ice water bath. Strain mixture through a fine mesh strainer into empty bowl and chill for at least 3 hours to overnight in the refrigerator.

Freeze custard in ice-cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Store in an airtight container in freezer until ready to eat.

As always, use as many organic ingredients as possible for optimum flavor and health!