Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

2 cups sugar
2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin
6 cups half and half
6 beaten eggs
2 cups whipping cream
3 T vanilla
4 cups sliced strawberries
1/4 c. sugar
red food coloring (optional)

In a large sauce pan, mix sugar and gelatin. Pour in half and half and cook until sugar is dissolved over medium heat. Do not boil. Add one cup of this to the beaten eggs and return all to sauce pan. Cook about two more minutes, but not boiling. Removed from heat and stir in whipping cream and vanilla and food coloring. Cool completely.
Add sugar to sliced strawberries and with a pastry blender, mash them slightly. Add to cool custard. Pour into a 4-5 quart ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's instructions.