Caramel Sauce

5 Minute 5 Ingredient Caramel Sauce

1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 heavy cream
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt

1. In a medium saucepan set over medium-low to medium heat and melt butter.  Mix in brown sugar and stir for 2 minutes (or until the sugar has completely dissolved).  Mix in heavy cream and stir for 2 more minutes.  Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla and salt until well incorporated.
2. Pour hot caramel sauce in a jar and allow to cool completely.  Store in refrigerator for up to a month.

I made this at Laura's for Thanksgiving.  We were looking for a "fruit dish" to bring over to the Vigesaa's.  I found this recipe and it seemed simple enough.  The sauce was a hit served with green apples.  It also goes well with ice cream or just on a spoon!  So easy, and I usually have the ingredients on hand so it's easy to whip up a batch quickly to bring to someone's house.

Tuscan Soup

Olive Garden Copycat Zuppa Toscana Soup

1lb. ground Italian sausage
1 1/2 tsp crushed red peppers
1 large diced white onion
4 Tbsp. bacon pieces
2 tsp. garlic puree
10 cups water
5 cubes chicken bouillon
1 cup heavy cream
1 lb. sliced russet potatoes, or about 3 large
1/4 bunch of kale

1. Saute Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot.  Drain fat, refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients.
2. In the same pan saute bacon, onions, and garlic over low-medium heat until the onions are soft.
3. Add chicken bouillon and water to the pot and heat until it starts to boil.
4. Add the sliced potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour.
5. Add the heavy cream and just cook until thoroughly heated.
6. Stir in the sausage and kale, let all heat through and serve.

I found this recipe while living in Japan.  I was craving Olive Garden and this soup is better than the restaurant.  The first time we made it Dale and I were licking our bowls!  I now make it often, even in the summer.  I shared it with the family at the lake during Christmas 2013.