Home-made ice cream

Last night we had a few friends over and I made ice cream. It goes down so well as you can add what ever you want. It will add to your waist line - but well worth it. This makes enough for about 6-8 people - or in my case enough for me.

What you need:
1 vanilla pod (if you don't have or can't get use 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence)
55g sugar
4 large eggs - separated
500ml double cream
salt
Choice of your flavouring ie chocolate, nuts, coffee etc

How to make:
Remove the seeds from the vanilla pod. Don't throw the empty pod away, pop it into a container with sugar and you have vanilla sugar.
Whisk the vanilla seeds, sugar and egg yolks in a large bowl until pale
In a second bowl whisk the cream until soft peaks form - IMPORTANT - don't over-whip it.
Then in a third bowl whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they form very firm peaks (this is when you can pull the egg whites in any direction and they will stay like it)
At this point add the flavouring, the cream and egg whites to the egg yolk mixture. Gently fold in. Immediately scoop the contents into your chosen container, cover with clingfilm and freeze until you are ready to eat it.

Flavourings: What ever you want. This is what I have tried
3 packets "Maltese" chocolates: Stick a sharp knife into the packet to let out the air and with the back of the knife crush them. You want them to be different sizes. Don't crush them for too long
Peppermint crisp (We can't get it over here but you can use 3 packets of the green M&M's) also crush it.
Cut up pieces of strawberry or mango
Soak some raisins over night in rum
Blueberries, cherries - what ever is in season.

A point to remember try not to refreeze it.