Saturday, May 28, 2011

BBQ sauce



After reading a blog this morning in which a bottled barbecue sauce was called for, it got my hackles up again. Yes, it's convenient. Yes, it's not expensive. But, yes, it totally lacks in creativity. So I'm sitting myself down here and I'm going to do a clinic on homemade sauce. Here's an ingredient list. The final amounts should depend on your taste. I'll just suggest a basic plan. I will tell you up front that I have come to prefer whole plum tomates (canned is fine) for their taste and texture. Also, I recently vowed to use fewer ingredients. It can be difficult, but I succeeded here.


1 28 oz can roma tomatoes

1 Tbs brown sugar

1/8 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tsp cumin

salt and pepper to taste

prepared horseradish (an optional variant)


Drain the tomatoes and reserve the liquid. Squeeze them carefuly in your hand (don't wear a white shirt) and put them into your food processor. Add the remaining ingredients except the horseradish. Pulse to reduce the tomatoes to little pieces no larger than 1/4 inch. It is absolutely not necessary (or advisable) to puree this. Put the mixture into a sauce pan with the reserved liquid and bring to a simmer. Simmer slowly uncovered for 45 minutes or until somewhat thickened. Allow to cool. Only now should you add horseradish if you want it. Start with no more than 1 Tbs. Taste. Adust the taste in any way you think you'd like. Keep tasting. You're done.





7 comments:

Chris said...

I do both, use bottled and make my own. I honestly don't have a problem with bottled sauces and you'd be surprised how many competitors use bottled sauces like Blues Hog.

I like making my own vinegar based, mayo based, and mustard based BBQ sauces, but I just haven't found the tomato based sauce that I like making. I'll give yours a try.

Unknown said...

I like the horseradish in this one... different then more bbq sauces I have made. Will definitely be trying this one!

Peggy said...

There are a bunch of local companies here that make fantastic bottled sauces, so I don't mind them - especially if I'm supporting local businesses. But I do enjoy making my own sauces too - it just depends on my mood.

Pam said...

I like your recipe with the horseradish but can't stomach cumin so would sub there, maybe coriander. Sadly, I'm hooked on KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce and seldom make my own anymore but because of the horseradish I just might have to try this.

Food Glorious Food! said...

Homemade sauce is always the best! I will try this for sure!

Anonymous said...

I definitely like the horseradish addition and LOVE cumin, so this would work for me.
Mary

Unknown said...

I very rarely use barbecue sauce for some reason. Thanks for sharing this home made recipe, I love the cumin in it. Such wonderful smell (and taste).

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