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Better for You Barbecue Sauce


Barbecue sauce intrigues me. It's rich, thick, delicious and a healthy homemade version can add lots of flavor to healthy eats like grilled or steamed veggies and chicken dishes. There are thousands of recipes and versions, and I think the real reason that I'm so in love with barbecue sauce is that it can pose a challenge for a professional recipe developer.

Almost any fruit, seasoning or condiment can be made into a barbecue sauce and I'm curious to hear about the "secret" unusual ingredient Slashfoodies use in their favorite versions. I've made barbecue sauces with grapefruit, blueberry and chocolate, but I've heard of many other renditions that sound tasty and fun -- like mango, orange, pomegranate honey, dried cherry and a white variety, just to name a few.

Get Jennifer's Spicy Apricot Barbecue Sauce recipe after the jump.

I've been craving barbecue since I wrote about how to cook chicken. Wandering through the isles of a local grocery store, I spotted lovely, in-season orange-hued apricots with a soft red blush. I decided to eat a few on my walk home and use the rest for a spiced-up chicken that night.


Spicy Apricot Barbecue Sauce

Makes 1 cup

2 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 pounds fresh apricots, pitted and halved (about 4)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon mild chili powder
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Zest of one lemon
1 cup reduced sodium, fat-free beef broth
1/4 cup hot sauce such as Tabasco
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon butter

Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Add the apricots, garlic, and chili powder and cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often until the apricots start to break apart.

Add the tomato paste and lemon zest and cook 1 minute more, breaking up the apricots with a wooden spoon.

Add the beef broth, hot sauce, brown sugar, and soy and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and reduces by one third. Turn the heat off and stir in the butter.

Use immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.


Response to comments from Four Steps to Chicken Perfection:

Dear Marty,

Great idea! I love chicken on the bone because keeping the bone in helps to add extra moisture. Start with a skinless chicken on the bone for this recipe. I ran a test last night, so just add 6 to 8 extra minutes of baking time.


Learn more about Jennifer at
skinnychef.com, and read her exclusive Slashfood blogs every Monday and Friday.

Filed Under: Ingredients
Tags: apricots, barbecue sauce, BarbecueSauce, bbq sauce, BbqSauce, condiments, healthy grilling, HealthyGrilling, jennifer iserloh, JenniferIserloh, skinny chef, SkinnyChef

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

kgb1001001

5-11-2009 @1:23PM kgb1001001 said... Asian flavors are interesting ones to combine into barbecue sauce. Many recipes include soy sauce, but the most interesting one I've ever seen (which is used in many Singaporean chili crab recipes) is fish sauce.
Reply

marcell

5-11-2009 @3:57PM marcell said... This recipe does not deal with the enormous amount of sugar in regular BBQ sauce.

This version by (clears throat) "Skinny Chef" Iserloh appears to have the same amount, maybe more (1/2 lb of apricots is quite a bit). Apricots are really high in sugar and the difference between table sugar and sugar from fruit is not seen by the human body. Sugar is sugar. And you're not getting much fiber either from the apricots.

I find Iserloh's recipes low in fat but very high in sugar in general which is very contradictory in wanting to be "skinny."

The one thing this recipe does have going for it is low sodium. Sort of.
Reply

Mel Kozek

5-11-2009 @8:35PM Mel Kozek said... We started with James Beard's Bar B Que recipe from the 1950's and have been working on it for a few years. It's pretty good on its own, but some honey and some Jack Daniels make a big difference.

I think the kind of wood used during cooking is at least as important. Everyone has their own preference, and ours is applewood

Nothing like good home made ribs!
Reply

1# Top Secret BBQ Sauce Recipe

5-27-2009 @9:54PM 1# Top Secret BBQ Sauce Recipe said... #1 Top Secret Texas Barbeque Sauce Recipe. Guarenteed success no matter what you are barbecuing!
Reply

Trigger Beeler

8-10-2009 @4:48PM Trigger Beeler said... Great sauce but it’s hard to find good tasting sauce that is low in sugar, low in salt, and all natural especially if your diabetic. We have spent decades to perfect sauces that are great for you and good tasting.

visit our website

http://www.TriggerBeeler.com

and help support the fight against diabetes while getting some great tasting sauces
Reply

5 Comments / 1 Pages

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