Vanilla Bean and Nutella Ice Cream

if you live on the east coast then you understand me when i say, i needed ice cream today. we are currently in the middle of a record-breaking heat wave. it was in the 100's on wednesday. i don't know about you, but in that kind of weather the only kitchen appliance i want to run is the ice cream maker.

i made two different flavors today. back by popular demand, vanilla bean. this was such a big hit the first time i made it that it was requested again. this vanilla is, well, anything but vanilla. along side it was a scoop of nutella ice cream. what could be better on a hot, sticky, summer night than a perfectly pure scoop of vanilla ice cream nestled beside rich, dark, chocolate-hazelnut nutella.

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Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup agave nectar
1 tbs vanilla extract
1 vanilla bean
juice of 1/2 a lemon
pinch of salt

whisk all ingredients together until sugar is dissolved. add all ingredients to ice cream maker and follow manufacturer instructions. store in airtight container and freeze for 2-4 hours.

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Nutella Ice Cream
(adapted from sugarlaws)

1/3 (heaping) cup of nutella
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup cold heavy cream
3/4 cup cold whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

whisk all ingredients together until sugar and nutella are dissolved and all ingredients are smooth. add to ice cream maker and follow appliance instructions. store in airtight container and freeze for 2-4 hours.

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one final note, if you are among the few who are asking "what is nutella?" you must grab your keys, start the car, blast the AC, and drive to the nearest grocery store. you will most likey find a jar of nutella in the peanut butter aisle. head home (after paying for it of course), open it, and just dip your finger right in it. lick your finger and wonder how you have managed to enjoy life up to this point without nutella. then, make this ice cream. it's also wonderful on toast, your finger, graham crackers, ginger cookies, your finger, croissants, oh yeah, and your finger.