Amazing Barbeque Sauce

Have you ever had a recipe that makes you do things. Weird things – like finding excuses to wander into the kitchen, just so you can sneak into the fridge and quickly dip your finger in some barbeque sauce.

I don’t usually make a habit of sticking my appendages into condiments, but this barbeque sauce is creating bad habits in me. Its smokey, sweet goodness keeps  calling to me, making me wonder at the possibilities it creates.

Grilled barbeque chicken, ribs, pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, the possibilities are endless. This sauce will make you wish summer was already here, just so you can
whip out the charcoal and grill up something to slather this stuff on.

Or you could just eat it off your fingers – like me.

Amazing Barbeque Sauce
(prep: 10 min; cook: 20 min; yield: 2 cups)

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
• 2 tsp. hickory-flavored liquid smoke
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 clove fresh garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp. onion powder
• 1/8 tsp. chili powder (optional)
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1/8 tsp. celery seed
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, mix the ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, wine vinegar, molasses, liquid smoke, and butter. 

2. Add the garlic powder, fresh garlic, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, celery seed, cinnamon, salt and pepper.

3. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20-30 minutes.  For a thicker sauce simmer the full time, and if you prefer a thinner sauce, less time is needed.  Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Tip: This sauce tastes very vinegary while cooking, don't worry though, make sure you allow the sauce to simmer for about 20-30 minutes, and it will mellow out and develop a really great depth of flavor. Of course, if you like your sauce tangy, then simmer for less time to suit your own tastes:)

This barbeque sauce is great as a final glaze to grilled meat. For pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwiches, just add a little water to thin the sauce out a bit. Enjoy!

Amber

 Recipe adapted from Allrecipes.com