(adapted from Ice Cream Ireland‘s recipe)
1.5 cups 1% milk
1.5 cups heavy cream
1 cup sugar
4 egg yolks
1 Tbsp ground cardamom
3 Tbsp honey (I use a wildflower honey from Utah, it’s got an assertive flavor)
tiny pinch of salt
Mix the sugar and yolks together until light in texture and smooth. Combine the milk and cream and bring to a simmer (either on the stove or in the microwave). Whisking constantly, drizzle the hot milk/cream into the egg/sugar to temper it. Once combined, transfer the mixture to a pot and place over medium-low heat. Stir or whisk constantly until it reaches 170F or has thickened to the nappe stage (coats the back of a spoon), then remove promptly from the heat. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any curdled egg bits.
(The method I use to avoid all chances of curdling is to mix the eggs and sugar in a large metal bowl, and then after mixing in the milk/cream, place the bowl over a pot of simmering water and whisking. This longer, but you won’t have to strain it afterwards. Also, you can be somewhat less paranoid about the constant whisking of the mixture- this cooking method is gentler than direct heat.)
Stir in the cardamom, honey, and salt. Cool for at least four hours (or overnight).
Strain to remove some of the cardamom (you won’t be able to get all of it out). Freeze in an ice cream maker, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to freezer to let harden.