Simple Apples Foster

¼ cup brown sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoon butter

1 apple, cored and sliced

¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

2 tablespoon dark rum (80 proof is important, spiced rums may not be high enough proof)

In a small skillet, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and butter and heat over medium heat until combined into a sauce. Add apple slices and nuts and cook 2 minutes longer. Stir in rum and heat through, about 1 minute.Take the skillet off stove and with a long lighter or match, put a flame to the sauce. Please be careful with this step: If the sauce is too hot or too near the flame the rum can ignite on its own. It should burn for about a minute or so, if the flame dies quickly, you may need to relight it.Serve over pancakes, crepes or French toast.Serves two to three.Cook#146;s note: Experiment with the thickness of apple slices and the cooking time depending on how soft or crunchy you like the topping.