Cook The Book: Shortbread Ice Cream Sandwiches

Cream the butter and 1 cup (225 grams) sugar together in a mixing bowl, then add the vanilla. Mix in the flour and 3/4 teaspoon salt until just incorporated; don't overmix. Form the dough into 3-inch (8-cm) diameter cylinders, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill them in the refrigerator 30 minutes. Slice the cylinders into disks 1/4 inch (1/2 cm) thick; sprinkle liberally with sugar. Bake the cookies in a 350u0b0F (175u0b0C) oven until golden but not too dark, 12 to 15 minutes.
Combine the remaining 1/2 cup (110 grams) sugar, the egg yolks, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Whisk together until they are thoroughly mixed and the yolks are light in color. Set aside. Put the milk and cream into a small saucepan. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds into milk, add the vanilla pod. Carefully heat the milk mixture, stirring often, until it starts to boil. Set it aside to steep for 5 minutes.
Slowly whisk the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture. When they are combined and smooth, return the milk-egg mixture to the saucepan. Add the chocolate, and mix. Stirring continuously, heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to thicken and easily coats the back qf a wooden spoon. Remove the vanilla bean. Transfer mixture into a bowl set in an ice bath. Stir mixture until it is chilled, and then freeze it in an ice-cream machine.
Use 1/4 cup (60 ml) of ice cream per two cookies, form a sandwich, and chill. Serve with a bowl of wild strawberries (when in season).