Vanilla Bean Ice Cream w/ homemade chocolate sauce!

So...Another recipe I found! I definitely prefer vanilla bean over just vanilla or french vanilla ice cream. After searching and testing 2 other recipes for Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, here's the one I've approved for my blog, as well as my personal recipe stash!

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (brought to us courtesy of www.ericasweettooth.com)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 pinch of salt
  
• 3/4 cups white granulated sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 5 large egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions: (Make sure your ice cream maker has been in the freezer for at least 12 hours)

1. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk, salt, and sugar.
2. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the milk and add it all, including the pod, into the milk mixture. Cover, remove from heat, and let sit for one hour.
3. Set up an ice bath by placing a medium-sized bowl in a larger bowl partially filled with ice and water. Set strainer over the top of the smaller bowl and pour cream into that bowl.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the egg yolks. Rewarm the milk for a few minutes and then gradually pour about 1/4 of the milk into the yolks, whisking constantly as you pour. Scrape the warmed yolks and milk back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk.
5. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly (this is important!) and scraping the bottom with a heat-resistant spatula, until the custard thickens enough to coat the spatula. Be careful not to let the mixture curdle.
6. Strain the custard into the heavy cream. Stir over the ice until cool, then add the vanilla extract. Chill mixture overnight.
7. Remove the vanilla bean and freeze the custard in the ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Recipe yields 1 quart

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For the Chocolate sauce:

Lee Lee's Famous Chocolate Sauce for Ice Cream Recipe (courtesy of www.food.com)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of white granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
• 1/4 cup water (more or less, as needed to make a stirable consistency)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Combine sugar, cocoa, and salt in a small saucepan.
2. Add enough water to make into a stirable consistency.
3. Add butter to the cocoa mixture.
4. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly.
5. Allow to boil for 1 minute, stirring.
6. Remove from heat.
7. Add vanilla extract.
8. Serve over ice cream.
9. Add sliced bananas and chopped walnuts if you really want a treat!