Skip to main content

Red-Wine Caramel Sauce

4.3

(7)

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

Cooks' note:

• Red-wine caramel sauce keeps, covered and chilled, 1 week. Reheat before serving.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 1 1/4 cups

Ingredients

1/2 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
1 cup dry red wine
1 1/3 cups sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into a small heavy saucepan, then add pod and wine. Boil over moderate heat until wine is reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 10 minutes. Discard pod.

    Step 2

    While wine is reducing, bring sugar and water to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil, without stirring, washing down any sugar crystals on side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water, until syrup turns pale golden. Continue to cook caramel, swirling pan, until deep golden.

    Step 3

    Remove from heat, then carefully pour wine down side of pan (caramel will vigorously steam and harden). Simmer, stirring, until caramel is dissolved and sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in butter and serve warm.

Read More
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
The golden, crunchy corners are worth fighting over.
Not stuffed shells. But not not stuffed shells either.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like spicy carrot rigatoni and weeknight-fancy ravioli with peas.
A veg-forward main or gets-along-with-everyone side.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
The most efficient method takes less than an hour, but you might not even need it.