Ingredients

2 cups whole milk 

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped 

5 large egg yolks 

3/4 cup sugar 

1 cup heavy cream 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Preparation

In a medium saucepan, heat milk and vanilla bean and scrapings. Bring to a gentle boil, cover, and remove from heat. Steep for 30 minutes.

Combine egg yolks and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat at medium-high speed until very thick and pale yellow, 3 to 5 minutes. Meanwhile, return milk to a simmer.

Remove vanilla bean. Add half the milk to egg-yolk mixture and whisk until blended. Stir into remaining milk and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick enough to coat a spoon.

Remove from heat and immediately stir in cream. Pass mixture through a strainer into a medium bowl set over an ice bath to chill. Stir in vanilla extract, then freeze in an ice-cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Store in a plastic container.