EASY FRESH STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM

This is our second crop of strawberries and I made strawberry ice cream.  If you don't grow your own
strawberries, buy some at your local farmers' market or supermarket. Try to buy sun-ripened, organic berries that are red through and through.

3 cups hulled strawberries, roughly chopped and divided

1 T fresh lemon juice or orange liqueur

1 cup granulated sugar

2 cups half-and-half

2 cups heavy cream

1 t pure vanilla extract

In a large bowl mix 2 ½ cups strawberries, lemon juice or orange liqueur, and sugar.

Allow to sit on your counter for 20 minutes until strawberries have released some of their juices

Place strawberry mixture into a blender and blend for just a couple of seconds.
Pour the blended strawberry mixture back into the large bowl and mix in the reserved ½ cup of strawberries, half-and-half, cream, and vanilla.

Pour mixture into your ice cream mixer and freeze according to your manufacturer’s instructions.

Scoop ice cream into a large container fitted with a lid and freeze for 2 to 3 hours.

Allow the ice cream to sit on your counter for 10 minutes to soften before serving.

Makes about 2 quarts of ice cream