Ingredients of Orange Date & Almond Ice Cream

1 - 3/4 cup chopped dried dates
2 - Two tablespoons of hot water
3 - One tablespoon of Grand Marnier ( or use an extra tablespoon of hot water )
4 - Two Eggs
5 - 2/3 cup Honey
6 - 3 cups half-and-half cream
7 - Juice and finely chopped zest of one large Orange
8 - 1/2 cup toasted sliced Almonds
9 - A pinch of sea Salt

How to Prepare :

Combine the dates hot water and Grand Marnier in a small bowl.  Let soak at room temperature overnight.In a medium sized bowl whisk the eggs until thick and pale.In a heavy saucepan combine two cups of the half-and-half and the honey and heat until gently steaming.Temper the eggs by slowly pouring the warmed half-and-half mixture into the eggs, while whisking the eggs constantly.Pour the mixture back into the saucepan, add the salt, and cook the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon .Remove from heat immediately and add the remaining cup of the half-and-half to stop the cooking.  Place the saucepan into an ice bath to cool the custard rapidly.When the custard is cool slowly whisk in the orange juice and zest, taking care the mixture does not curdle.Chill overnight in the fridge.Pour the custard into an ice cream maker and prepare according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  In the final stages of churning add the chopped dates and sliced almonds and churn to distribute throughout the ice cream.