Special Sauces for Ice Cream

I adore ice cream.  Hands down, I do.  I once went on a month-long bicycle trip, with a friend, with the hopes of getting super buff.  We ended up eating our way through the gelato side of Europe.  I found these amazing recipes for ice cream on A Beautiful Mess blog and had to post them for future reference.

Sea Salt and Honey Caramel Sauce, makes about 1 1/2 cups.

• 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons water, 6 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup cream (heavy cream or half and half), 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 tablespoon coarse grain sea salt.

In a pot combine the sugar, honey and water and cook over medium heat. Be sure to stir the mixture as it heats up and allow this to thicken for 4-5 minutes (the sugar will just begin to darken in color). Now add in the butter, cream and vanilla and bring to a low boil. Continue to stir and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the sea salt. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

 Red Wine Chocolate Sauce, makes about 1 cup.

• Needed: 1/2 cup red wine (any kind you like or have on hand is fine!), 1 cup dark (or milk) chocolate chips, 1/4 cup light corn syrup.

In a pot simmer the wine over low/medium heat. Allow it to cook for about 8 minutes, it will reduce some. Turn the heat down and add in the chocolate and corn syrup. Whisk vigorously as things begin to melt, then remove from heat and continue whisking until every thing is well incorporated.

Photos and recipes straight from A Beautiful Mess