Chocolate Ice Cream

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Warm 1 cup (250 ml) of the cream with the cocoa powder in a medium saucepan, whisking to thoroughly blend the cocoa. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer at a very low boil for 30 seconds, whisking constantly. Remove from the heat and add the chopped chocolate, stirring until smooth. Then stir in the remaining 1 cup (250 ml) cream. Pour the mixture into a large bowl, scraping the saucepan as thoroughly as possible, and set a mesh strainer on top of the bowl.

   Step 2

   Warm the milk, sugar, and salt in the same saucepan. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks. Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, then scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan.

   Step 3

   Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a heatproof spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula. Pour the custard through the strainer and stir it into the chocolate mixture until smooth, then stir in the vanilla. Stir until cool over an ice bath.

   Step 4

   Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. (If the cold mixture is too thick to pour into your machine, whisk it vigorously to thin it out.)

2. Perfect Pairings

   Step 5

   To make Chocolate-Mint Ice Cream, stir 1/8 teaspoon mint oil or extract into the custard before freezing, then fold in one recipe of homemade Peppermint Patties (page 206) or 2 cups crumbled store-bought peppermint patties.

3. Step 6

   To make Rocky Road Ice Cream, fold in 1 1/2 cups (90g) homemade (or miniature store-bought) Marshmallows (page 212) and 1 cup (150g) roasted peanuts or toasted, coarsely chopped almonds (see page 13).