Mint Oreo Ice Cream

My husband and I used to get Dairy Queen Mint Oreo blizzards a lot when we were first married.  They weren't on the actual menu at most places- you had to ask for them.  Then we started making our own mint oreo milkshakes out of real ice cream, oreos, and mint flavoring (so much better than a DQ Blizzard!)  It's been a while since we've done that, and the other day I was thinking how fun it would be to make some homemade mint oreo ice cream.  I used a basic ice cream mixture of cream, half and half, egg yolks, sugar, chopped Oreos, etc.  The finished product was so, so good!  It's definitely a repeat.  In fact, I already have.  :) 

Mint Oreo Ice Cream

by What a Dish!

2 cups heavy cream

2 cups half and half

3 egg yolks
dash salt
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp. mint or peppermint extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3-4 drops green food coloring, optional
about 20 Oreos, coarsely chopped (more or less if desired)

1.  In a medium, heavy saucepan, combine cream, half and half, and salt.  Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until hot.  Meanwhile, (if possible), using a stand mixer, whip the egg yolks and sugar until fluffy and light in color.  If a stand mixer is not available, whisk the eggs by hand or with a hand beater. 

2.  Carefully pour about 1 cup of the hot cream mixture into the eggs.  Keep whisking the eggs while pouring the cream, so the eggs don't scramble.  When the one cup of hot cream is incorporated, add the rest of the hot cream and stir to combine. 

3.  Pour the whole mixture back into the saucepan, and return to the stove (over low heat).  Using a whisk, stir the mixture constantly until it thickens a little and reaches 160-170 degrees on a candy or meat thermometer. 

4.  Have ready a fine metal strainer set over a clean bowl.  Pour the hot mixture through the strainer.  Then, stir in the mint extract, vanilla extract, and green food coloring.  Cover and refrigerate overnight before freezing in your ice cream maker.

5.  After freezing in your ice cream maker, stir in the chopped oreos, and place the ice cream in the freezer.

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