McKenzies Perfect Caramels

 Dad got this receipe from McKenzie and have had great success.  There is also an option for Tar Bar licorice caramels

Ingredient Checklist

• 1 cup butter or margarine 
• 1 pound light brown sugar 
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 
• 1 cup light corn syrup 
• 1 pinch salt 
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

• Step 1

  In a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Heat to  238 F  add vanilla.   Shut off heat( this helps cool off the bottom of the pan) and stir a little more and remove them at 240 F.  

• Step 2

• Meanwhile, butter a 9x13 inch baking pan. When the caramel is ready, pour into the buttered pan.( do not scrape the bottom of pan unless you know it has not browned) Allow to cool completely to  room temperature. Remove from the pan  put on a cutting mat and cut into squares or long strips using a sharp butcher knife. Wrap individual pieces in waxed paper or wrap in 3x5 cellophane wrappers  (Amazon) or you can melt chocolate chips ( add bit of canola oil)and frost caramels, let dry then flip and frost other side. Cut into strips. Wrap.

Tar bar option.  Add anise oil -1 Tablespoon   and 1 teaspoon black color paste add in the place of vanilla as you remove from heat.

Pasta e Fagioli Olive Garden Style

Olive Garden is one of our favorites with their soups, salad, and breadsticks.  McKenzie began making this for us while she was still in high school.

1 c ditalini pasta or mini shells
2 T olive oil
1 lb hamburger
3 cloves garlic
1 onion diced
3 carrots peeled and diced
3 stalks celery diced
3 cups chicken broth
1 16 oz can tomato sauce
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon oregano
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
salt and pepper to tast
15 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz can of Great northern beans , drained and rinsed



Cook pasta  drain and set aside.

Saute  ground beef in oil in large 10 qt pot until brown.  Add onions, carrots, celery  and garlic and cook for 3-5 minutes.
Whisk in chicken broth , tomato sauce, basil, oregano thyme, Hamburger and 1 c water.  Season with salt and pepper.  Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer covered until vegetables are tender.

Stir in pasta and beans until heated through
Serve immediately.