Summer isn't over yet, lets BBQ!

I shared my sob story last week about having a hard time with nightshades.  Some things are easier than others to avoid, or substitute, but BBQ sauce is a favorite condiment of mine and it jazzes up plain ol' pork, beef, and chicken.  I will admit I cannot take any of the creative genius in this one today.  I got the original recipe from Mark's Daily Apple, however ketchup and BBQ sauce have large amounts tomatoes which are hard on my stomach these days.  So what is a girl to do?  In my complaining out with friends this topic came up along with beets (hence last week's post). Instead of tomatoes I tried some roasted beets.  I realize not everyone is nightshade intolerant so I am going to share Mark's recipe and my beet-up ketchup BBQ! This is what I got!

His:                                                         Mine:
6 ounces tomato paste                           4-6 roasted and peeled beets
2/3 cup apple cider vinegar                   2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup water                                         1/3 cup water
2 tbsp of honey or apple sauce              2 tbsp of honey or apple sauce
2 tbsp onions                                          2 tbsp onions
2 cloves garlic                                        2 cloves garlic
1 tsp salt                                                 1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground allspice                           1/8 tsp ground allspice
1/8 tsp ground cloves                             1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp pepper                                         1/8 tsp pepper

If using the beet recipe, before blending, cut stems and roots from beets and place in oven at 400 for about 30min or until skins peel off.  Combine ingredients in food processor and blend until the onion disappears.  If you have used beets, it won't be as smooth, well at least mine wasn't, but I don't have the greatest blender. 

*remember beets are tomatoes, but its not that bad
*if playing the substitution game, if you don't like it (the substitution) just don't eat it!  

And now the BBQ!

His:                                                            Mine:
2 strips of thick bacon, chopped               2 strips of thick bacon, chopped
   or 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika,         1 small onion (minced)
   or chipotle powder to taste (this            1 clove garlic (minced) 
   gives the sauce its smoky flavor,            4-6oz small roasted, and peeled beets
   so using either the bacon or the             1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  spices is fine!)                                          1/2 cup water
1 small onion (minced)                              1/4 cup ketchup (use your homemade
1 clove garlic (minced)                                  version!)
1 6oz can tomato paste                              3 tbsp mustard (watch your labels,
1 tsp liquid smoke                                          homemade version coming!)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar                       1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup water                                             1 pinch ground cloves
1/4 cup ketchup (again, use                       1 pinch cinnamon
      your homemade version!)
3 tbsp mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 pinch ground cloves
1 pinch cinnamon
Hot sauce to taste (any variety is fine!)


If using bacon, fry in a 2 pan until cooked through. Add the onion and cook over a medium heat for 3-5 minutes (or until onion browns). Add garlic and cook for a minute, then mix in all other ingredients and simmer for about 30 minutes. Test the mixture and add other spices, more vinegar or hot sauce until you achieve the desired taste.

Heat up the BBQ grill!  Grab your meat of choice (for me it was chicken drummies) and start cooking, browning slightly on each side, but not cooking all the way through.  Once chicken is nearly done cooking coat meat with BBQ sauce.  If you put it on all the way it tends to fall off and burn up.  If you add it later, it give it 'soak' in but crisp up as well.  Plus its easier to see if your chicken is done since the beet juice is also pink.  Remove from the heat and enjoy!
*As I said before the beet version is not the same as ketchup, Try not to let the texture and appearance scare you, it tastes better than it appears.  
*I let mine sit in the refrigerator over night before using, which allowed that onion and bacon flavor to take over a bit more.  I found it was better the next day!