Feeling Saucy

I’ve realized recently that store bought BBQ sauce is just not as good as fresh BBQ sauce you can make on your stove top. Sometimes the same can be said of BBQ sauces that your favorite restaurant sell, the bottle version just doesn't taste as good as when it is served in the restaurant. As always, fresh made food is always better.

I've been having fun creating and experimenting with different ingredients. This is a basic tomato based BBQ sauce that you can add too with whatever fresh herbs or spices you have around. Of course you can add anything from fresh thyme to ginger to red wine. Have fun with it, just remember to taste as you go along and you can add to it but not take away.

2 tablespoon of olive oil

1/2 medium size onion, minced

3 garlic gloves, minced

1 cup of ketchup

3 tablespoon of cider vinegar, add more if needed

3 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce

Juice of one lemon

3 tablespoon of brown sugar

4 tablespoon of honey, add more if needed

2 tablespoon of yellow mustard

1 teaspoon of dried mustard

Pepper to taste

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add the onion and garlic, saute until soft.

Stir in the rest of the ingredients and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and then simmer at low heat uncovered until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stirring often to prevent burning.

Taste the sauce when finished for seasoning- you may want to add more pepper, cider, honey or any extra seasoning. 

This is enough to baste a whole cut up chicken with extra for serving. I recommend doubling the recipe so you have extra. It stores for several weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.

Room temperature chicken seasoned with salt & pepper

Can you smell it?

Extra sauce is a must, its that good

How easy is that?!?! 

Now time to own it and make it yours:

• add fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme or lavender. This is a great time to use up any extra herbs you might have in the fridge.
• add your favorite hot sauce. Start off with a teaspoon then add to taste
• substitute the cider vinegar with another flavored vinegar such as champagne vinegar
• add red wine, bourbon or whatever you think would add another depth of flavor
• what else do you have in your fridge or pantry? Chutney? soy sauce? flavored honey? Molasses? 

The homemaker in me thinks this would make a delicious housewarming gift or party favor in a small jar. 

As you can see the possibilities are endless. What will you put in your sauce?