Basic Chocolate Sauce

2 oz Semisweet baking chocolate

2 tb Butter

1/2 c Boiling water

1 1/2 c Sugar

ds Salt 1 ts Vanilla

Melt chocolate in a double boiler. Stir in butter, then boiling water, then sugar and salt. Cook stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. The sauce is best when served warm. Either serve immediately or reheat in double boiler for 10 minutes or microwave for 1 minute. To store pour into strilized glass jars. Allow sauce to cool before refrigerating. It will keep for 6 months in the refrigerator. Variations: : Add any of the following flavorings in place of or in additon to the vanilla: : 1 ts orange extract or 1/3 c orange juice : 1 ts mint extract : 1/8 c crushed strawberries or rasberries, chopped raisins or nuts : 1 tb Creme de Menth, Coffe liqueur, Spice orange Cordial or other : flavored liquer. : 1 ts instant coffee yield: 16 oz SOURCE: CHEAPER AND BETTER ALTERNATIVES TO STOREBOUGHT GOODS BY: NANCY BIRNES FOUND BY: FRAN MCGEE