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