This sweet strawberry sauce, flavored with brown sugar and balsamic, is a great way to jazz up classic vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

• 2 lb. strawberries
• 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 4 Tablespoons balsamic glaze (see Note)

Preparation

1. In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring strawberries and brown sugar to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat and, using a potato masher, mash berries until broken up but still chunky.
3. Let cool for 30 minutes, then stir in balsamic glaze. Serve sauce over ice cream.

Tips & Techniques

Note: Balsamic glaze is available at gourmet grocers and williams-sonoma.com, or substitute 1 cup balsamic vinegar plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, boiled and reduced by half (yields 8 tablespoons).