blueberry basil ice cream

I know, I know.....some of you might be on diets/healthy eating plans right now, but you should get a cheat day!  Right?!  So on your cheat day, make this ice cream, and eat it all!  Besides, it has blueberries and basil in it, so it's basically healthy!  

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 cup water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 5 egg yolks
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 tablespoons basil, minced

Directions:

1. First you'll make a blueberry sauce.  Place the blueberries, water, and 1/2 cup of sugar into a large saucepan and cook over medium-high heat.  Mash up blueberries as they begin to bubble, and stir occasionally.  You'll want to cook this for about 10 minutes, until the sauce is nice and thick.  Set aside and let cool completely.  You may want to strain some of the blueberry skins out, but I left mine in!
2. Next you'll make the ice cream base.  In a medium saucepan, mix together the milk and heavy cream.  Heat slowly until it starts to steam, and small bubbles form.  In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the remaining sugar (1/4 cup), as well as the egg yolks.
3. Very, very slowly, begin to add the warm milk mixture to the egg mixture, whisking constantly.  **It's very important that you have patience and go slowly, you don't want to cook the eggs!