My list of Things To Make in 2011 is seemingly endless but I have slowly but surely moved down it over the last eight months. There had been much talk of all things barbecue this summer and, on Friday, I decided the time was nigh: time to make my own barbecue sauce. I scoured the internets (yes, all of them) until I came across a recipe that looked like a great starting point. I prefer tomato-based sauces to the vinegar or mustard ones – though I surely wouldn’t turn up my nose should one of them be proffered – and this one had a ketchup base with lots of spicy seasonings. Sold! Off to the store we went to grab the few items I didn’t already have in the pantry and a nice, big pork butt on which I could slather this tasty concoction.
To get the few items I couldn’t find at the local grocery store, we popped into El Marketino on Keele St. just north of Wilson. You can certainly find everything in Kensington, too; but if you’re in the neighbourhood closer to the 401, I highly suggest giving them a try. I grabbed some great guajillo chile powder there that will likely find it’s way into many more dishes.
This sauce starts off sweet, then you get the slow burn at the back of your mouth. If you like things on the sweeter side, you can increase the amount of honey; if you like things spicier, add more of the chipotles, chile powder and/or cayenne.
Makes roughly 1 1/2 cups.
Ingredients
1 c onions, chopped
2 clove garlic
3/4 c ketchup
1/4 c honey
1/4 c brown sugar
3-4 chipotles in adobo, chopped (and some of the sauce if you like more heat)
2 tb apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 tb molasses
1 1/2 tb Worcestershire
1 ts chile powder
1 ts paprika
1-2 ts cayenne
salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Heat the olive oil to medium heat in a pot and saute the garlic and onions for 8 – 10 minutes.
2. Add in the rest of the ingredients and bring to a simmer.
3. Readjust the heat to low and allow to cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. With an immersion blender or food processor, puree the mixture until smooth. You may need to add water to achieve the consistency you desire. If it’s too thick, add a couple of tablespoons of water at a time.
Food Nurd 
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