here, piggy piggy!

Smoky, Spicy and Easy

No-Ketchup Barbecue Sauce

As someone who is not a fan of ketchup, I always love to find a good barbecue sauce that doesn't start out with the hated condiment as the first ingredient. I came across this recipe in a cookbook by the Baron of Barbecue, Paul Kirk, and knew that I'd love this recipe since it was created by one of Kirk's students who also disliked ketchup.

This is a peppery-spicy and tangy-sweet sauce, with a beautiful rich color. It also tastes like you slaved over it for hours when in fact it cooks up in about 20 minutes. It's perfect for chicken and pork, and makes a terrific dipping sauce for all kinds of deep-fried snacks. The recipe below is the version with my tweaks - grab some charcoal and a beverage, and enjoy!

ingredients:

• one 15 ounce can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste (a whole tablespoon gives this sauce quite a bit of heat)
• 1 teaspoon hickory Liquid Smoke
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard (like Colman's)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Thoroughly combine all ingredients in a non-reactive saucepan and cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Makes about 3 cups of sauce.