My Favorite Homemade Ice Cream Recipe

Spring is coming and it makes me think of eating outside.  Eating outside makes me think of cookouts.  And cookouts makes me think of homemade ice cream.  (Sounds like a Give a Moose A Cookie book)  Tonight we will have our first homemade ice cream of the season.  I have a favorite recipe, its a little pricey because of the ingredients, but worth the expense!

2 cups milk
1 3/4 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 c half and half
1 tbsp vanilla
4 c whipping cream

Scald milk until bubbles form around edge of pan.  Remove from heat.  Add sugar and salt.  Stir until dissolved.  Stir in half and half, vanilla, and whipping cream.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes - until cold.  Freeze according to your ice cream maker directions. (makes 4 quarts)

Varieties:

Strawberry - add pureed strawberries (1 c./quart of ice cream) to chilled mixture before freezing.
Banana - add mashed bananas (3 c/4 quart, 31/2 c/5 quart, and 4 c/6 quart) to chilled mixture before freezing.
Peach - add pureed peaches (1 c./quart) to chilled mixture before freezing.