CARAMEL ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan combine half and half, heavy cream and vanilla bean and bring to a boil over medium heat.
• Remove from heat.
• Cover and let stand for at least 15 minutes.
• Beat egg yolks with sugar in mixing bowl until thick and lemon colored.
• Whisk in 1/3 of the scaled cream.
• Return mixture to saucepan.
• Place saucepan over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes or until mixture thickens.
• DO NOT BOIL.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in butter pieces, one at a time, blending well after each addition.
• Let cool to room temp.
• and then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.
• While custard is cooling make caramel syrup.
• To make syrup: combine sugar and 1/3 cup water in small saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Cover and let steam one minute.
• Remove lid and continue cooking until mixture caramelizes to a dark tea color.
• Remove from heat.
• Add remaining water slowly (be careful mixture will spatter) and stir.
• Cover and let cool to room temp.
• Remove vanilla bean from custard, scraping any seeds into custard mixture.
• Stir syrup into custard.
• Can be refrigerated again at this point before making ice cream.
• Transfer to ice cream maker and process using manufacturer's instructions.