Pecan praline ice cream

Method

• step 1

  To make the praline, put the sugar in a frying pan (silver is best so you can see the caramel colour change) and add 3 tbsp water. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves into a clear liquid.

• step 2

  Turn up the heat and boil until the mixture becomes a golden caramel. The edges will start to darken first and you’ll smell caramel.

• step 3

  Drop in the nuts and swirl around to coat.

• step 4

  Quickly pour onto a lightly oiled baking sheet then leave to cool.

• step 5

  To make the ice cream, put the milk and vanilla pod in a pan with a pinch of salt and heat until just boiling. Take off the heat and leave to cool so the vanilla infuses.

• step 6

  Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together in a bowl until pale. Reheat the milk and slowly whisk into the eggs, leaving the vanilla behind.

• step 7

  Pour back into a clean pan, put over a low heat and stir until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Keep stirring and don’t let it overheat or you’ll end up with scrambled eggs. It should take around 8-10 minutes.

• step 8

  Pour the custard through a fine sieve into the chilled cream and stir together. Pour into an ice-cream maker and churn.

• step 9

  Break the praline into pieces then put in a freezer bag and bash with a rolling pin. You can go as fine or chunky as you like. Add to the ice-cream when it’s softly churned. When it’s fully churned spoon into a freezer proof box and freeze until you need it.