Mint Juleps, Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce
Posted by Labels: Animal Kingdom, Kentucky Derby, SecretariatI've always been a little fascinated with the way very small things link my mind to events. Seemingly insignificant words, items or actions connect my thoughts to a time in my life or an annual event... like ice cream with my homemade caramel sauce and the Kentucky Derby. Forget the wide-brimmed hats, mint juleps and My Kentucky Home. Give me ice cream with caramel sauce. This is how it happened.
Years ago, when we only had one channel on our black and white television (that's after we could get television!), the Kentucky Derby was always aired - and it was a program we would not miss! Even though we were extremely busy at that time of the year, my husband and I planned to take a break for the prestigious event. For some reason, I remember one of those May Saturdays very well - so well, in fact, that it comes back to me at every running of the Kentucky Derby.
It was a warm spring day in Crooked River, Saskatchewan, the perfect day for raking, preparing the garden for planting and other spring work. My three young children played outside as my husband and I worked, checking our watch often. Finally, it was time.
As we walked to the house, I planned a snack for us, something befitting the big event and the advent of warm weather. Yes, I knew what I would do. I would make my mother's famous Caramel Ice Cream Sauce. As I stirred the ingredients together on the stove (now I use the microwave), the pre-race hype blared from the televsion. Just in time, I dished up ice cream for all of us, topped it with the rich, buttery sauce and sat down. On the screen, ladies in floppy-brimmed hats toasted with mint juleps while my family spooned a decadent dessert into our mouths. Ice cream with Caramel Sauce has not tasted any better ever since that day in 1973, the year Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby. Since he went on to win the Triple Crown, that could explain why that day and Ice Cream with Caramel Sauce is forever linked to the Derby in my mind. Or was it because it was a pleasant interlude with my family?
Here is the recipe:
Here is the recipe:
In a glass bowl or large measuring cup, melt 1/4 cup butter (use butter) in the microwave. Add 1 cup brown sugar, stir and microwave for a few seconds. In another bowl, whisk or beat 1 egg with 1/4 cup milk. Add slowly to butter mixture stirring constantly (make sure it's not too hot!). Heat only until sugar is melted and sauce is smooth. Add vanilla to taste and serve warm on vanilla ice cream.
This year Animal Kingdom won the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby... and I watched with a bowl of caramel-sauced ice cream in my lap.
1 comments:
Great to talk to you last night....and now, thanks for the recipe. As I read your blog, it was in the back of my mind, "hope Sharon includes the recipe". We missed the Derby this year - forgot to set the VCR before we left for Red Deer.
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