French Vanilla Custard

Step 1

Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and salt together until mixture changes from dark golden to pale yellow and becomes fluffy.

Step 2

Heat milk and cream in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom. Cook just until mixture starts to simmer when little bubbles begin to appear on the surface, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 3

Whisk a ladleful of milk-cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Add another ladleful and whisk thoroughly before adding the next (this will keep the eggs from cooking). Gradually add the remaining milk-cream mixture and whisk thoroughly. Reheat until mixture has thickened and can coat the back of a spoon (do not boil!).

Whisk in vanilla. Cool completely (you can place the bowl in a larger bowl with ice water to cool it faster).

Step 4

Pour cooled mixture into a pitcher; cover. Refrigerate until ice cold or overnight.

Step 5

Pour custard mixture into ice cream maker and process (according to manufacturer's instructions) until custard reaches the consistency of soft ice cream, about 20 minutes. Quickly transfer to a plastic container. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the surface of the custard. Cover container and freeze until custard is firm enough to scoop, at least 3 hours.