Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue Sauce is a hallmark of summer cooking, an always on-hand dipping sauce, and an ingredient in various recipes. There are many types of barbecue sauces such as the tomato based (recipe below), vinegar based, and asian style.  The tomato based sauce recipe below is prepared with a homemade tomato ketchup base. A lot of recipes online, and in cookbooks actually have commercial tomato ketchup or catsup as an ingredient. 

The Ingredients 

1 can (28-oz) crushed tomatoes

2/3 cups white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup white distilled vinegar

1 table spoon Zatarain's Creole Seasoning 

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1/16 teaspoon ground clove

1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1 shot of whiskey

1/4 teaspoon Chili power

1/4 teaspoon ground Cayenne 

1/4 teaspoon garlic power

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/32 teaspoon celery seed

1/4 teaspoon allspice

Step One: Homemade Tomato Ketchup

Pour the crushed tomatoes in a  4 quart sauce pan. Add both sugars and the white vinegar. Heat the pan using medium heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Add the Zatarain's Creole Seasoning.

Step Two:  BBQ Sauce

Add the other ingredients one by one stirring after each addition.
Bring the mixture to a boil stirring occasionally, and then reduce to a simmer. You may notice  a foamy substance appears on the surface. Remove this by gently spooning  the foam to a bowl to discard.  This foam will otherwise cloud the sauce. This process of clarifying is done with stocks, broths, jams, jellies, candy among other things.  Continue a vigorous simmer for five minutes. 

Step Three: Reduction 

Simmer the sauce uncovered for 1 1/2 hours or longer stirring occasionally. 

Or

Place the sauce in a slow cooker set to the low or warm setting, stir occasionally. Let it reduce for 3 1/2 hours or longer stirring occasionally.