1 quart fresh strawberries, washed, stemmed and quartered
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 cups half-and-half
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, split in half and scraped
6 egg yolks

1. In a food processor or blender, combine the strawberries and 1/2 cup of the sugar. Process until smooth.
2. In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine the half-and-half and sugar. Bring to a simmer.
3. In a small mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth.
4. Add 1 cup of the hot liquid to the egg yolks and whisk until smooth.
5. Add the yolk mixture to the saucepan of liquid and whisk until incorporated.
6. Bring the liquid back to simmer and continue to cook for 4 to 6 minutes or until the mixture coats the back of a spoon.
7. Remove from the heat and stir in the strawberries. Whisk until smooth.
8. Pour the mixture into a glass bowl and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the mixture. This will prevent a skin from forming while cooling.
9. Cool the mixture completely.
10. Process the mixture according to the ice cream machines’ instructions.