Sour Cherry and Black Pepper Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dark rum
• 2 cups dried sour cherries
• 16 egg yolks
• 10 ounces granulated sugar
• 4 cups creme fraiche or sour cream
• 4 cups homemade condensed milk, recipe follows *make recipe 1 1/2 times
• 4 cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons cracked black pepper
• 1 vanilla bean (cut lengthwise)

Directions

In a small saucepan, bring rum and dried cherries to a simmer, cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 30 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sugar and creme fraiche.

In a 2 quart saucepan, let simmer for 5 minutes the condensed milk, heavy cream, black pepper and vanilla. Strain and chill.

Stir the cherries into the chilled custard, discarding the rum. Pour into an ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions.

Homemade Condensed Milk:

• 6 cups nonfat milk
• 5 tablespoons sugar

Pour the milk into a medium heavy saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the sugar and continue simmering 10 to 15 minutes or until reduced to 3 cups. Strain. Homemade condensed milk can be refrigerated up to a week.