OLIVE OIL ICE CREAM

1. In a medium bowl, combine the egg yolks, sugar, salt, and vanilla bean paste. Whisk well until pale. Set aside.
2. In a large pot over medium heat, heat the milk until bubbles begin to form around the outer edge of the pot. Pour half of the milk into the bowl with the egg yolks, whisking constantly. Whisk briskly until combined. This will temper the egg yolks and stop them from scrambling.
3. Pour the milk and yolk mixture back into the pot, and return to a low heat. Whisk constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon, and registers at 170˚f / 75˚c on a thermometer.
4. Strain though a fine mesh strainer. Stir in the cream, then add the Filippo Berio California Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Transfer to an airtight container and chill for at least two hours, or overnight.
5. Churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to a quarter sheet pan or 9 x 13 baking dish lined with wax paper. Place a second piece of wax paper on the surface of the ice cream and smooth down. Place in the freezer in a flat place for 3-4 hours, or until frozen solid.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1. Preheat the oven to 350f° / 180°c and line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugars on high speed for 5 minutes, until pale, and light and fluffy. Add the egg, egg yolk and vanilla, and mix to combine, scraping down the bowl when necessary.
3. Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add to the mixing bowl, and mix on low to just combine.
4. Add the chopped chocolate and mix until just incorporated. Remove the bowl from the mixer and give a few mixes by hand using a flexible spatula, to ensure even incorporation of the chocolate.
5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour. Toward the end of the chilling process, preheat the oven to 350˚f / 180˚c and line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Using a 2 Tbsp Cookie scoop, scoop out balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets - I like to scoop enough for one tray at a time, and leave the remainder in the bowl until I am ready to bake. Roll into balls and arrange evenly on the tray - 6-8 dough balls fit well for me.
7. Bake for 12-13 minutes, or until lightly golden and beginning to set. Baking time depends on personal preference - if you like them a little softer, bake for 12 mins, if you like them a tiny bit crispy then bake for 13. Remove from the oven and sprinkle liberally with flaky sea salt. Allow to cool on the pan - the cookies will deflate slightly as they cool. Repeat the baking process with the remaining cookies.
8. Store in an airtight container until ready to assemble.

ASSEMBLY

1. Match up the cookies in pairs of similar size. Line a quarter sheet pan or large freezer safe plate with parchment paper. Using a round cookie cutter slightly smaller than the cookie, cut out circles of ice cream. It may help to mark where you are going to cut first, so you can get as many cut-outs as possible. Place the circle of ice cream on one cookie, and top with a second. Place on the prepared sheet pan, and place into the freezer. Repeat until you have run out of ice cream.
2. Rest the cookie sandwiches in the freezer for an hour or so, or until the ice cream has re-frozen completely. Store the remaining cookie sandwiches in an airtight container or ziploc bag.