Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

Well, we have a bbq smoker, so I guess we really should make our own barbecue sauce. At least once in a while. Especially since it's so easy and takes virtually no time.

Sure, I love store-bought sauces as well (my favorite being Head & Country Hot and Sweet Baby Ray's) but they're full of stuff that's less than great for you. If you make your own, you control what's in it.

And in this case, there's bourbon in it. Lots. (The alcohol cooks away, so no worries.)

Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
about 400 ml

1 large yellow onion
3 garlic cloves
1 tbsp butter
200 ml bourbon (I used Jack Daniels)
200 ml crushed tomatoes
4 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp ancho chili powder
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
salt

Finely mince the onion and garlic and fry on medium heat in the butter until softened. Add the bourbon and let it cook down on medium-high heat for about ten minutes.

Add the tomatoes, sugar and chili, and cook for about ten more minutes, on low heat. Season with salt and add apple cider vinegar to taste - I used about a tablespoon.

When you're happy with how it tastes, purée until smooth using a blender (stick blender in my case) and then cool, or use right away.

We slathered this on bbq-smoked pork ribs and re-heated the whole thing in the oven.