Make Your Own Ketchup and Barbeque Sauce

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about Date Paste (Date Paste) and how much I enjoyed it as a nutritious sweetener.

With the paste I made ketchup, which I mentioned but I didn't provide the recipe.  I also made Barbeque sauce.  Here are both recipes from the chicagohealthygirl blog.

Homemade Ketchup

3 cups tomato paste
1 cup date paste
2 cups white vinegar
1 large white onion
4 garlic cloves
Optional add ins: 1 red, yellow, or green bell pepper, 5 sweet peppers, 1/2 jalapeno, 1/2 chili pepper, 1/4 - 1/2 cup honey, increase garlic cloves up to 10 cloves

Directions: Place the tomato paste in a large sauce pan. Set aside. Add all other ingredients to the blender and blend until completely smooth. Add this mixture to the sauce pan and stir well. Heat over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.   It is important to stir frequently.  I just went to the sink for a couple seconds and this is what happened.  Oops!

Ketchup splatters on the ceiling.  It's like bubbling lava.

Place into a container of your choice and store it in the refrigerator.

Ketchup, it's very thick.

Barbeque Sauce

1 1/4 cups ketchup (use homemade ketchup...or this will not be nearly as good)
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup date paste
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup mustard
1 red bell pepper, stem removed
1 large white onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground is best)
1/2 chili pepper (optional)
Directions: Place all of the ingredients in the blender and blend until liquified. You can use this sauce immediately, but it tastes better to let it sit overnight in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to mix.

BBQ sauce