Ice cream is one of those things that needs short bursts of attention over a longish time. Something to make when you’ve got other stuff to do.

Vanilla ice cream

Mix together 1lb of white granulated sugar, 3 oz of plain white flour and a teaspoon of salt in a large pan.

In a large jug, place 7 egg yolks (save the whites) and 2 pints of full cream milk. Beating eggs well and adding the milk.

Add to the pan of sugar and flour and beat. Slowly heat. Stir all the time until the mixture has thickened. This can take a while, 30-40 minutes. Take care not to burn.

Leave to cool

Beat the whites until stiff, add 2 tablespoons of sugar slowly.

Beat 1 pint of double cream until it starts to thicken.

Add 25ml of vanilla essence to the milk mix. Fold in the egg whites and cream.

Place in several small freezer containers and freeze for an hour. Remove one at a time from the freezer and turn the mix breaking up any large iced bits. Freeze

Best eaten after it’s been in normal temperature for 20 minutes