Chocolate Hazelnut Gelato

For our three days in Florence, Italy, it was clear that an afternoon gelato was what all the cool kids (and adults) were doing. Who was I to go against the tide? I had the same combo every day: bacio e stracciatella, or chocolate hazelnut and chocolate chip. Now that we are back home, I am craving my favorite: bacio. Lucky for me, I only need to turn as far as the Food Network and Giada De Laurentiis to bring back that wonderful experience.

Chocolate Hazelnut Gelato
Source: Giada De Laurentiis
Makes about 4 cups, adaptations in italics

2 cups 2% milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 can fat free sweetened condensed milk
4 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)
2 teaspoon hazelnut liquor (Frangelico)
1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts, crushed, for garnish

Directions
In a saucepan combine the milk, cream, and 1/2 cup sugar over medium heat. Cook until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl whip the egg yolks using an electric mixer until the eggs have become thick and pale yellow, about 4 minutes. Mix in the sweetened condensed milk. Pour 1/2 cup of the warm milk and cream mixture into the egg mixture and stir. Add this mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over very low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, about 7 to 10 minutes.

Place a strainer over a medium bowl and pour the warm custard mixture through the strainer. Stir in the vanilla, liquor, and hazelnut spread until it dissolves. Chill mixture completely before pouring into an ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's instructions to freeze. To serve, scoop gelato into serving bowls and top with hazelnuts.