Now I realize that really good vanilla ice cream doesn’t require a topping, but what the heck – why not? If you are considering ice cream in the first place, you might as well indulge yourself or your family or friends, and go all the way. And if this ice cream sauce doesn’t make a believer out of you, then I don’t know what could! (Unless of course, it’s one of my other sauces (see Caribbean Rum-Raisin Ice Cream Sauce for 3 other delicious sauces.) But back to this recipe.

I made this recently for one of the desserts for a JazzVox pre-concert meal. People loved it. Then I also served it, along with my Caribbean Rum-Raisin Ice Cream Sauce to good friends at our small “open trailer” get together in Anacortes. Again our friends thought it was definitely worthy of posting on this blog.

So you, my dear readers, are getting the benefit of my friend’s unsolicited approval. And don’t you deserve it too! It’s been a rough year. If the presidential race isn’t enough to put you off your feed, there’s always the drought in California, hurricanes all over the world, and the melting ice cap! I tell you, if there ever was a time we all needed (and I mean needed) a little pampering, it’s now. So don’t deny yourself. Eat ice cream and of course vote in the upcoming presidential election.

Pardon the unpaid political proclamation, but if ever there was a time to stand up for what I believe, this is it. And I believe strongly in America and am proud of the humanitarian nation it has always been. But unless we all vote for a reasonable candidate, it could so easily dissolve into a non-respected, joke of a country. Please don’t let that happen. Don’t let hearsay or unverified accusations sway your thinking. Don’t be faithful to a party just because you have always voted their agenda. Now is the time to really think about the lasting effect your vote could make. Take time to read each party’s platform. I want my children and grandchildren to enjoy the same freedom and ability to succeed as I have enjoyed all my life. I want them to be able to go camping in our national parks, and know that the politicians in command care about each and every citizen, not just the people that look and think exactly as they do. And if I’m not mistaken, you probably want the same for your descendants too.

So get out there and vote. Spread the word, and don’t let anyone tell you that by not voting you are making a difference, because they might actually be correct! Your abstinence might just help the one candidate you don’t want in office, to actually win this election. The future of our country is just as much in your hands regardless if you go to the poles or not. But taking the high road and saying that you are not voting because you don’t like any of the candidates is the equivalent to indulging in a  political game of Russian roulette. Remember, no one is perfect. And our candidates are just like everyone else in that regard.  

So please accept my apology if I have offended you or you feel I have over-stepped my position as a food blogger. But I am also a real person who feels deeply about the welfare of our country. I strongly believe, that if we don’t take a firm stand, and vote to retain the integrity and intelligence our leaders have displayed in the past, our country as we know and love it, is going to change dramatically. And I don’t believe it will be for the better!

Again, I know a food blog is not the best place to voice my opinion on something other than the relative merits of dark chocolate over milk chocolate. But being a passionate person, I have interests that far outreach the confines of my kitchen. I do promise however, not to write any more about the upcoming election, at least on my blog.

If you would like to read more about my feelings on the upcoming presidential race, you can follow the steps listed below to a guest editorial I wrote for our local newspaper:

–          Search under Stanwood/Camano news

–          Choose e-Edition

–          Click on Stanwood/Camano News – Updated Aug 29, 2016

–          Click on the right arrow in the white circle at the upper right hand corner of the page

–          Keep clicking until you get to page A4–the Opinion section (3 clicks, I think)

–          My editorial is entitled “Fate of world on the line in U.S. election” (I did not write the title – the newspaper did!)

• 1½ c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3 T. unsalted butter
• tiny pinch salt
• ½ c. heavy whipping cream
• 2 T. Kahlua or other coffee-flavored liqueur

Melt the chocolate chips, butter, salt, and whipping cream together in the microwave, being especially careful not to burn the chocolate chips. Remove from microwave and whisk in the Kahlua. Serve warm or at room temperature over vanilla ice cream. And please enjoy the two other ice cream sauce recipes to follow.

DARK CHOCOLATE AND ORANGE ICE CREAM SAUCE

• ¾ c. Dutch processed cocoa
• 6 T. sugar
• 2/3 c. water
• 4 T. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 T. Cointreau or other orange flavored liqueur

Whisk cocoa and sugar together in a medium-sized saucepan. Gently whisk in the water. Slowly bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in butter, vanilla, and Cointreau. Serve warm or allow to cool completely and store in the refrigerator. Warm before pouring on ice cream.

FRESH STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM SAUCE

• 1 qt. fresh strawberries, divided (raspberries, blueberries, Marionberries, blackberries, etc. can also be used)
• ¼ c. sugar or more to taste
• ½ tsp. vanilla

Wash strawberries and remove the stems; cut each berry into 4 or 6 pieces, depending on the size of the berry. Combine half the strawberries, sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. The mixture will appear too dry for a while, but then the juice will begin to appear and produce the syrup. Cook until sauce thickens, about 15 minutes.

Remove from heat. When the sauce is completely cool, add the remaining strawberries. Store covered in the refrigerator. Also great over shortcake or pound cake with sweetened whipped cream.