EARL GREY ICE CREAM

MAKES ABOUT 1 QUART

FOR the ultimate frozen iced tea treat, try this ice cream alongside
a scoop of lemon sorbet.

1 cup milk
3 heaping tablespoons loose Earl Grey tea or 5 to 6 Earl Grey tea bags
¾ cup sugar
6 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup heavy cream

Bring the milk to a boil in a heavy medium saucepan. Remove from the
heat. Stir in the tea leaves or bags, cover, and set aside to steep for 15
minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, beat the sugar into the egg yolks
until thickened and pale yellow. Beat in the flour and salt. Set aside.
Strain the milk to remove the tea leaves, or simply remove the tea bags.
Add the half-and-half and return to a simmer over low heat. Slowly beat
the hot milk and half-and-half into the egg yolks and sugar. 

Pour the entire mixture back into the pan and place over low heat. Stir constantly 

with a whisk or wooden spoon until the custard thickens slightly. Be careful not
to let the mixture boil or the eggs will scramble. Remove from the heat and
pour the hot tea custard through a strainer into a large, clean bowl. Allow
the custard to cool slightly, then stir in the cream. Cover and refrigerate
until cold or overnight.

Stir the chilled custard, then freeze in 1 or 2 batches in your ice cream machine
according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When finished, the ice
cream will be soft but ready to eat. For firmer ice cream, transfer to a
freezer-safe container and freeze at least 2 hours.

Variations

DEVONSHIRE ICE CREAM Add 2 teaspoons vanilla before freezing.
Proceed with the recipe as directed.

EARL GREY AND DRIED FRUITS ICE CREAM Cover ¼ cup dried currants
and ¼ cup chopped dried apricots with boiling water and let sit for 1 hour,
or until soft. Drain the fruit and add to the machine when ice cream is
semifrozen. Allow the machine to mix in the fruit. Proceed with the recipe
as directed.

ENGLISH SUMMER ICE CREAM Stir in ½ cup crushed fresh strawberries,
¼ cup currants, and 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest before freezing.
Proceed with the recipe as directed.

TEA AND SYMPATHY ICE CREAM Add 1 cup crumbled scones to the
machine when the ice cream is semifrozen. Allow the machine to mix in
the scones. Proceed with the recipe as directed.