Eggnog Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 7 large egg yolks
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups chilled heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons dark rum
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• Garnish: freshly grated nutmeg
• an instant-read thermometer; an ice cream maker

Instructions

1. 1

   Bring milk and salt to a boil in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat. Remove from heat.

2. 2

   Whisk together yolks and sugar in a bowl, then gradually add 1/4 cup hot milk, whisking. Add yolk mixture to milk remaining in pan in a slow stream, whisking, and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until mixture is slightly thickened, coats back of spoon, and registers 175°F on thermometer, 3 to 5 minutes. Immediately pour through a fine-mesh sieve set into a clean bowl and stir in cream, rum, vanilla, and nutmeg. Chill custard, covered, until cold, at least 2 hours.

3. 3

   Freeze in ice cream maker, then transfer to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden, at least 2 hours. Soften slightly in refrigerator before serving, about 20 minutes.