Vanilla Ice Cream

6 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 large vanilla beans
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt

Cream the egg yolks and sugar together in a mixing bowl until thick and light.

Combine the milk and cream in a 2-quart microwave-safe casserole. Cut the vanilla beans in half lengthwise, and scrape the seeds into the bowl. Add the beans, extract, and salt. Cook, uncovered, at full power (650 to 700 watts) for 3 minutes. Remove the vanilla beans. With a mixer running on low speed, slowly add the milk mixture to the egg yolk mixture, stirring until smooth. Return the mixture to the casserole.

Whisking once a minute, cook until the custard is thick and coats the back of a spoon, 3 1/2 minutes. Do not overcook it.

Allow the custard to cool to room temp. Then refrigerate it, loosely covered, until chilled, a minimum of 3 hours.

Freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's directions.

Makes 5 cups.