1. Almost bring the vanilla pod and the milk to a boil

2. Leave the mixture to infuse off the heat for about 15minutes

3. Remove the vanilla pod

4. Cream the sugar, whole egg and egg yolks together until the mixture is pale

5. Stir in the vanilla flovoured milk and strain the mixture through a sieve into a clean pan

6. Heat the custard mixture slowly over gentle heat while constantly stirring, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the wooden spoon

7. Pour the custard mixture into a bowl and leave it to cool

8. Whip the cream lightly and fold it carefully and thoroughly into the custard

9. Spoon the mixture into a container and cover it with a lid

10. Leave the container in the freezer until the ice cream is half frozen

11. Remove the container and whisk the ice cream thoroughly

12. Return the container to the freezer and freeze the ice cream until firm

List of ingredients required:

Vanilla pod
1/2 pint milk
1 whole egg
2 egg yolks
1/2 pint double cream
3 oz (75g) caster sugar

1. Bring the cream, milk and split vanilla bean to a boil

2. Beat the egg yolks and the sugar together with a wire whip until the mixture is smooth and creamy

3. Pour the hot milk mixture over the egg yolks and stir briskly

4. Cook the custard over very low heat until it almost reaches the boiling point (the custard should not boil, or it will curdle)

5. Strain the custard through a fine sieve

6. Chill it quickly then freeze it

7. If desired, the whipped cream may be folded into the ice cream just before it becomes firm

List of ingredients required:

2 and 2/3 cups cream
1 and 1/3 cups milk
A piece of split vanilla bean
8 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
1 cup cream, whipped (optional)

1. Put the sugar with 6 tablespoons of water in a pan

2. Heat the pan gently until the sugar is dissolved

3. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue boiling until the sugar has reached the thread stage at about 220F (105C)

4. Beat the egg yolks in a mixing bowl

5. Pour the syrup in a thin stream into the mixing bowl, while whisking all the time

6. Put the cream, vanilla pod and chocolate, broken into pieces, in a pan and cook over low heat just below boiling point

7. Remove the vanilla pod and pour the chocolate cream into the egg mixture, whisking until it is thoroughly mixed

8. Cool and freeze

List of ingredients required:

(serves 6 people)

1 pint single cream
Vanilla pod
4 egg yolks
7 oz (200g) plain chocolate
3 oz (75g) caster sugar
6 tablespoons water