Honey Gelato with Strawberries and Amaretti

YIELD: About 1 Quart

10 oz. fresh strawberries, sliced (1 pint)
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 oz. whipping cream (2 cups)
1 vanilla bean
5 1/2 oz. mild-flavored honey (1/2 cup)
3 egg yolks
12 oz. mascarpone cheese (1 1/2 cups)
4 oz. amaretti cookies, crushed finely (1 1/2 cups)

1. Toss strawberries with sugar; macerate for 30 minutes.
2. Heat cream and vanilla bean to a simmer; let stand 30 minutes.
3. Whisk honey and egg yolks until pale and creamy; beat in reserved cream.
4. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture coats the back of a spoon.
5. Strain; cool.
6. Whisk in mascarpone.
7. Split vanilla bean lengthwise, then scrape seeds into mixture.
8. Fold in strawberries and amaretti.
9. Freeze according to ice cream machine manufacturer's instructions.

Recipe and photo submitted by the National Honey Board