Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Heartache, Delicious Heartache

I'm not a huge fan of BBQ sauce. Everything you find in the grocery store is either too sweet, too spicy or too tasteless (with the single exception of Sweet Baby Ray's Original, which will do in a pinch). Only one sauce has kept me coming back for more over the years....my mom's. At least I thought it was my mom's....until a few days ago when I received some disturbing news. It is actually a recipe from a cookbook she purchased in 1964. WTF?!?! The wonderful "family" recipe that I have written on a card in my recipe box (yes, I still use one) with "mom's recipe" in the title is not actually an original?!?!?! I was crushed.


The initial sadness and shock lasted only so long, for when I opened my freezer and saw a giant pork loin staring at me I knew I couldn't turn my back on this delicious sauce. After all, it really is the perfect combination of tanginess and sweetness, with that little kick at the end - so so yummy.


So here goes - from The Spice Cookbook, by Avanelle Day and Lillie Stuckey, published in 1964 (this is for a double recipe):


2 tsp powdered mustard with 2 Tbsp water - mix well and let stand 10 min to develop
2 cups ketchup
2/3 cup cider vinegar
1 cup water
4 Tbsp light brown sugar
2 Tbsp instant dried minced onion - sounds odd, but it works for this
4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic salt (I use about 2 Tbsp minced fresh garlic)
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (I use at least 1 tsp)


Add all ingredients and mix well. Then add mustard mixture and stir to combine. Let stand about 20-30 min to allow flavors to develop.


Personal taste - this is best on pork, whether brushed on chops or ribs, or for making pulled pork (as pictured). However, it's also quite tasty on chicken and brisket.


For pulled pork in the crockpot:
Pour enough sauce in the crockpot to coat the bottom, up to 1/4" deep. Liberally salt a boneless pork loin with kosher salt then place in the crockpot. Cover with sauce (reserve some for serving later). Cook on high for approximately 6 hours. Shred and serve.




2 comments:

Anonymous said...

How did you suddenly find out it wasn't an authentic handed down from mom to daughter recipe? Easily fixed though, just cross out Mom's and write 'from The Spice Cookbook' 1964 on the recipe card. Or did you tear it up in disgust? Ah well, at least it is still an old recipe.

Stephanie said...

When I was starting my blog I asked my mom about the recipe - that is when she told me. And that is exactly what I did - just correct the source...this recipe is too good to give up on it!