Barbeque is a southern tradition that is more polarizing than politics and religion combined. There are thousands of recipes and just as many schools of thought about the “right†way to do it.
Even when I buy BBQ sauce at the store I end up doctoring it so much that it is a new creation so I thought I would try my hand at making homemade BBQ sauce from scratch. As luck would have it, I had some general guidelines fresh in my mind thanks to the folks on Public Television’s “America’s Test Kitchen†so on New Year’s Day and with a beef roast smoking on the grill I set out making what may well be the best sauce I’ve ever had.
What follows are general instructions as I can’t really be sure about amounts and such. When you are adding a pinch of this and just a touch more of that, measurements kind of go out the window.
INGREDIENTS
1 small onion, finely minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup leftover coffee
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/8 cup brown sugar, packed
1/8 cup honey
1 Tablespoon black pepper
1/2 Tablespoon chili powder
a pinch of cayenne pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Start by sautéing the onion in a bit of oil until translucent and soft, about 10 minutes.
2. Add garlic and stir for about 1 minute.
3. Add remaining ingredients and stir to mix thoroughly, then simmer over medium heat until reduced and thickened.
This homemade BBQ sauce works equally well on chicken, pork or beef and it will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks. Play with the flavors and make your own personal creation, then tell your friends that you couldn’t possibly share your secret family recipe!
