Thick Shakes With Strawberry-Mascarpone Panini

Ingredients

• 6 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 vanilla beans, split and seeds scraped
• 1 lb strawberry, sliced (2 pints)
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 8 slices brioche bread (1/2-inch thick)
• 1/2 cup mascarpone
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 pints strawberry ice cream

Directions

1. 1

   Fill a large metal bowl with ice water and set another large metal bowl in it- Set a strainer in the bowl.

2. 2

   In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with 1/4 cup of the sugar until slightly pale.

3. 3

   In a medium saucepan, heat the milk with the cream and vanilla beans and seeds until small bubbles appear around the edge.

4. 4

   Add the hot milk to the egg mixture in a thin stream, whisking constantly.

5. 5

   Return the vanilla mixture to the saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

6. 6

   Strain the vanilla sauce into the bowl in the ice bath and let cool completely, stirring occasionally.

7. 7

   Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the strawberries, orange juice, zest, vinegar and the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar; season very lightly with salt and pepper.

8. 8

   Bring to a boil and cook over moderately high heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture has become jammy, about 10 minutes- Transfer the jam to a bowl and let cool.

9. 9

   Heat a panini press or griddle over low heat. Spread the mascarpone on 4 of the brioche slices.

10. 10

    Spoon 3 tablespoons of the jam on each of the other 4 slices and close the sandwiches.

11. 11

    Brush the sandwiches with butter and grill or press until golden, about 5 minutes.

12. 12

    Transfer the panini to a cutting board and dash with confectioner's sugar.

13. 13

    Halve each sandwich.

14. 14

    Put 1 pint of ice cream and half of the vanilla sauce in a blender and blend until smooth.

15. 15

    Pour into 2 large glasses.

16. 16

    Repeat with remaining ice cream and vanilla sauce to make 2 more shakes.

17. 17

    Serve the milk shakes right away, with the panini.