Method
1 In a medium sized heat-safe bowl (metal, ceramic, or glass), whisk together the egg yolks until well blended. Set aside.
2 Pour the cream into a metal bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and set a medium-mesh sieve on top. Set aside.
3 In a medium thick-bottomed saucepan on medium heat, melt the
butter cook it, stirring constantly, until it just begins to brown.
Add the brown sugar and salt. Stir until the sugar completely melts.
4 Slowly add the milk, stirring to incorporate. It will foam
up initially, so make sure you are using a pan with high enough sides.
Heat until all of the sugar is completely dissolved. Do not let boil or
the mixture may curdle.
5 Whisk in hand, slowly pour half of the milk and sugar
mixture into the eggs, whisking constantly to incorporate. Then add the
warmed egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk sugar
mixture.
6 Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a wooden
or heatproof rubber spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the
mixture thickens and coats the spatula, about 5-7 minutes.
7 Pour the custard through the sieve and stir it into the cream.
Add vanilla and stir until cool over the ice bath. Chill mixture
thoroughly in the refrigerator.
8 While the mixture is chilling, preheat the oven to 350°F.
Lay out the pecans on a roasting pan in a single layer. Bake for 6
minutes, until lightly toasted. Let cool. Once cool, roughly chop the
pecans and set aside. Note, if you want an extra punch to this ice cream, brush the pecans with melted butter and sprinkle with salt before roasting.
9 Once the ice cream mixture is thoroughly chilled, freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
10 Once the ice cream has been formed in the ice cream maker,
it will be fairly soft. Fold in the chopped pecans. Put in an airtight
plastic container and place in the freezer for at least an hour,
preferably several hours. If it has been frozen for more than a day, you
may need to let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften
it before serving.
Yield: Makes 1 1/2 quarts.
, or a KitchenAid mixer with an ice cream attachment
