Nothing quite says summer like strawberry ice cream, whether the sun is shining or it's the middle of winter.

This homemade ice cream recipe will become one of your family's favorite easy dessert recipes.

It works with any ice cream maker you have.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes, plus freeing time according to ice cream maker directions

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 dash salt
3 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups milk
3 eggs, slightly beaten
3 cups heavy cream
2 cups strawberries, washed and hulled
a few drops red food coloring (optional)

Directions:
Combine 1 cup sugar, the salt and flour in a medium-size saucepan. Add the milk gradually. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the mixture thickens and bubbles. Remove from the heat.

Cool slightly then stir half the mixture very slowly into the beaten eggs in a medium-size bowl. Stir back into the remaining mixture in the saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly. For 1 minute. Remove from the heat.

Pour into a large bowl. Cool and then stir in the cream. Chill. Mash the strawberries with a potato masher or fork in a large bowl. Stir in the remaining sugar. Blend the strawberries into the chilled mixture. Add the food coloring for a deeper pink, if you wish.

Pour the mixture into a 4-6 quart ice cream maker freezer can. Freeze according to ice cream maker’s instructions. Pack in plastic containers and freeze until firm.

Makes about 2 quarts.

• The red food coloring is optional but does give this homemade ice cream that distinctive strawberry pink color.
• Pour the sugar and flour mixture VERY slowly into the eggs or the eggs will cook and you will have to start over. That is the only tricky part of this whole wonderful recipe, but do pay attention to that part.
• Replace the strawberries with mashed very ripe peaches or nectarines if you want to try something different.