Sweet Corn Ice Cream with Caramel-Candied Bacon

1. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 cup of the heavy cream, milk, corn cobs and kernels, and a pinch of salt. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla beans into the milk mixture and add the bean as well. Bring mixture to a scald (just under when it starts to bubble), being careful to not curdle the cream. Remove pan from heat, cover, and let mixture steep for about 30 minutes.
2. Towards the end of that 30 minutes, in a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks with the sugar, until it reaches a creamy, golden consistency.
3. Strain the corn mixture and discard the kernels, cobs, and vanilla bean. Return corn milk mixture to saucepan and warm slightly over medium/medium low heat. Whisking constantly to avoid eggs from scrambling, slowly add half of the mixture to the egg yolks, until fully incorporated. Return egg yolk mixture to the saucepan.
4. Cook custard over medium/medium low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens to a consistency that coats the back of a spoon. When you run your finger across the spoon, it should leave a definite trail. If using a thermometer (which I always do), aim for 170°F-175°F.
5. Add remaining 1 cup of heavy cream to a large bowl with a mesh strainer set on top. Strain the ice cream mixture into the bowl and stir to incorporate heavy cream. Immediately place bowl over an ice bath, stirring constantly to cool the mixture quickly.
6. Refrigerate mixture until very cold, preferably at least 1 day and up to 3 days. Pour custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s directions. Remove ice cream to a container and put it in the freezer until ready to serve.
7. Place a couple scoops of ice cream in a bowl, drizzle with some caramel-candied bacon, and a bit of popped popcorn.

for the Caramel-Candied Bacon

1. To a medium sauté pan over medium heat, add bacon. Cook the bacon until crunchy, stirring occasionally. Remove bacon to a paper-towel lined plate to drain.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of the cooked bacon fat to a new small saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar to the pan and stir until dissolved and slightly caramelized. Stir in the lemon juice and heavy cream, and stir well to combine. Adjust consistency with more cream if needed. Stir in bacon. Let cool slightly before serving.