Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/2  cup           arborio rice -- uncooked
   3      cups          milk
   3      tablespoons   granulated sugar
   1      small   piec  vanilla bean
   1      pinch         salt
                        ***CUSTARD CREAM***
   3                    extra-large egg yolks
   6      tablespoons   granulated sugar
     1/2  cup           milk
                        plus-----
   2      cups          heavy cream
   3      teaspoons     confectioners' sugar
   2      pounds        rock salt

Preparation:

The rice is quite crunchy and gives an interesting texture to the gelato. This ice cream is very popular in Italy now. Put the rice in a saucepan. Add the milk, vanilla bean, sugar, and salt and brig to a boil over medium heat, stirring costantly. Then simmer for about 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the rice cool completely (about 2 hours). Pour the contents of the pan through a colander and drain off the excess liquid. Let the rice sit in the colander for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the custard cream with the ingredients listed above, following standard directions. Transfer the rice to a large bowl and remove the vanilla bean. Then add the cooled custard cream to the rice and combine well. Add the heavy cream and confectioners' sugar and mix again. Prepare the gelato, following ice-cream maker's directions. Source: Guiliano Bugialli's Classic Techniques of Italian Cook