Vanilla Ice Cream the gourmet way

1 ½ cups milk ( I use whole but use whatever you have in the Frig)

1 ½ cups heavy cream

1 Vanilla bean (if you don’t have use pure vanilla or extract)

6 egg yolks

½ cup sugar

In a sauce pan toss in the milk and 1 cup of the cream.  If you are using the vanilla bean, cut it open and scrape the seeds into the pan then toss in the whole bean.  At medium heat cook for about 5 minutes or until you see bubbles at the edge of the pan.  Next, toss the egg yolks, sugar and remaining cream in a bowl and stir until sugar is dissolved.  Remove the sauce pan and gently and slowly pour about ¼ of it  into the bowl stirring constantly until smooth. Then pour the this mixture back into the sauce pan and continue heating at medium heat stirring constantly until the mixture is is at a simmer about 5 minutes and is thick enough to coat the spoon.  Do not let it boil.  Throw away the bean and if you want you can strain this mixture. Fill a bowl with about 2 cups ice and place the hot mixture in a bowl on top of the ice.  Grab some plastic and press it on top of the mixture and around side of bowl. (this will prevent the mixture from forming a skin on top) and stir occasionally. Refrigerate until chilled.  (option: You can make this the day before)  Pour this mixture into the ice cream machine.  Then enjoy!