In a large bowl or a large measuring cup with a spout, whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, and a pinch of salt until thoroughly combined.
In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, milk, and vanilla using medium heat until you see steam rising from the surface. Do not bring the mixture to a boil. If using fresh mint leaves, add to the cream and milk. If using mint extract, do not add at this stage. Remove from the heat and let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
Prepare a large bowl with ice water. Using a ladle in one hand and a whisk in another, slowly drizzle the liquid mixture into the sugar-yolks mixture and whisk to incorporate. Continue to whisk the liquid to the sugar-yolks mixture until you’ve added about half of the dairy, then pour the egg-dairy mixture into the saucepan with the remaining dairy.
Lower the heat to medium-low. Stir continuously with a heatproof spatula or a wooden spoon for 10 to 15 minutes until the custard thickens slightly and reaches 175 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Dip the spatula or spoon into the custard and hold it horizontally, then run a finger across the custard on the spatula — if the path stays open, your custard is ready. Remove from the heat and pass the custard through a fine-mesh strainer set over a large measuring cup.
Place the measuring cup in the prepared ice bath, stirring for about 5 minutes until you can comfortably insert your pinkie in the mixture (the custard should register about 115 degrees on an instant-read thermometer). If using mint extract, add half and taste the custard. It should have a defined mint flavor but not be overwhelming. You need to take into account that the mint flavor will dissipate slightly as it sits overnight. Add the remaining extract, if desired.
Transfer the custard to a quart-size container, cover and refrigerate overnight.When ready to churn the ice cream, pour the custard into an ice cream machine and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the ice cream is the consistency of soft serve. Depending on your ice cream maker, this could take 20 to 40 minutes, so start checking at 20 minutes and then every 5 minutes thereafter. Fold in the chocolate chips and churn until the ice cream has thickened slightly, an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
Transfer to a quart-size container, cover with a sheet of parchment or wax paper and cover with a lid. Freeze until firm, at least 6 hours.
When ready to serve, let the ice cream soften on the counter for a few minutes until scoopable, then scoop into bowls and serve.

Weekend Edition Sunday

NPR

At The 'Quarantine Hotel,' Olympians Deal With Isolation And Shattered Dreams

Green Line Service Restored After Trolleys Collide On Comm. Ave., 25 Injured

Provincetown Data Suggests Vaccines Protect Against Complications, But Not Delta Transmission

A Last Defense For Thousands Facing Eviction In R.I. And Mass. Will Expire This Weekend

CHARTS, MAP: Mass. Vaccine Tracking And COVID Case Counts

Puddle Jumping To New York In 75 Minutes: Seaplane Service Set To Launch From Boston Harbor

A Research Vessel Found SpongeBob Lookalikes A Mile Under The Ocean's Surface

NPR

Back To The Office? Not Yet. Companies Scramble To Adjust To The Delta Variant

NPR

MTV Is Turning 40. Here's How Beavis, Butt-Head And Daria Upended TV Animation

NPR

Boston Dynamics Robotic Dogs Used By Honolulu Police To Scan Homeless People For Fevers

WBUR Names Rupa Shenoy To Replace Bob Oakes As 'Morning Edition' Host

5 Things To Do This Weekend, Including Shakespeare On The Common And A Concert At Crane Estate

In Their Own Words: Kids Reflect On COVID-19 In Letters, Poetry And Artwork

COVID Was Hard On Youths, But It May Have Spurred 'Post-Traumatic Growth'

How COVID Isolation, Loss And Racism Deepened Crises For Children Of Color

'We Can Talk About This': Kids Benefit When Parents Open Up About Mental Health Struggles

Wait Lists For Children's Mental Health Services Ballooned During COVID

Pandemic School Year Anxieties: In Chelsea, Counselors Navigate Rise In Mental Health Needs

The Pandemic Left More Kids Feeling Suicidal. One Mass. Teen Found Her Way Out Of The Dark

Los Lobos Sends A Love Letter To Los Angeles

How To Run A Ghost Kitchen: The Pandemic Trend Helping Restaurants Cut Out Sit-Down Dining

Netflix's 'Naomi Osaka' Documentary Shows Tennis Star's Struggles On And Off The Court

Maryland Hair Salons, Barbershops Lead Vaccination Efforts Among Black Community

Conservative Talk Show Host Battling COVID-19 Regrets Disseminating Vaccine Skepticism

Here & Now

Provincetown Data Suggests Vaccines Protect Against Complications, But Not Delta Transmission

WBUR News

The Great Mattress Conspiracy: Why Are There So Many Mattress Firm Stores?

Endless Thread

A Research Vessel Found SpongeBob Look-Alikes A Mile Under The Ocean's Surface

NPR

Former Boston Ballet Dancer And Husband Accused Of Sexual Assault In Lawsuit

WBUR News

4 Recipes That Will Make You Scream For Ice Cream

Here & Now

Here & Now Presents Jessamyn Stanley: "Yoke"

Siân Evans: "Maiden Voyages"

Tell Me More! Elizabeth Kolbert And Helen Macdonald

This Changes Everything: The Higher Education Edition

Episode 1: Selena And Me

Episode 2: Selena And Abraham

Episode 3: Birth Of A Symbol

Episode 4: Big Butt Politics