📖 Instructions

1. First things first – wash those strawberries. I know, I know, it's a pain, but trust me, it makes all the difference! Gently rinse them under cool water and remove the green tops.
2. Slice the strawberries. I prefer to slice them fairly thinly – about 1/4 inch thick – so they blend into the ice cream smoothly. If you like chunks of strawberry in your ice cream, go for a coarser chop!
3. Make the custard. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, and cornstarch. Whisk everything together until the cornstarch is completely dissolved. There shouldn't be any lumps. We don't want any mysterious little lumps in our ice cream!
4. Heat the mixture. Heat the milk mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly. It'll start to thicken as it heats. Keep a close eye on it and keep whisking – this prevents any unpleasant burning and scorching!
5. Add the strawberries. Once the custard has thickened (it should coat the back of a spoon nicely), stir in the sliced strawberries. Let the mixture simmer gently for about a minute, until the strawberries are slightly softened.
6. Remove from heat and strain. Take the pan off the heat and let the mixture cool slightly. Then, using a fine-mesh sieve, strain the strawberry mixture into a bowl. This helps to remove any bits of strawberry that might cause ice crystals in your finished ice cream.
7. Chill the mixture. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the custard for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This is crucial for getting a smooth texture. If you skip this step, be prepared for an icy disaster!
8. Churn the ice cream. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your ice cream maker. Add the chilled custard to the ice cream maker and churn according to the instructions. Usually, this takes about 20-30 minutes. Patience, my friend, patience!
9. Freeze for extra hardness (optional).Once the ice cream is churned, transfer it to an airtight container and freeze it for a couple of hours to allow it to harden completely. This is an extra step for those wanting a firm, scoopable consistency.
10. Serve and enjoy! Scoop the ice cream into bowls, cones, or cups. Garnish with fresh strawberries, chocolate shavings, or a drizzle of honey if you’re feeling fancy. Mmm, delicious!