My Favorite Barbecue Sauce

Over the many years I've tried making BBQ sauces and had some good ones and some bad ones. Just about 3 years ago I found this recipe and put it in my computer in a recipe file so that I wouldn't lose it. What did I ever do before I had a computer? I lost recipes all the time. Anyway, this is a recipe I adapted to the microwave. It's simple and easy to do. Substitutes work fine in this recipe.

BBQ Sauce

Makes 6 cups approximately

Ingredients:

• 4 cups (476 ml) tomato juice (or 2 cups juice, 2 cups water)
• 4 Tablespoons 60 ml) cornstarch
• 1 cup 225 ml) granulated sugar
• 4 Tablespoons (60 ml) soy sauce
• 3/4 cup (175 ml) onion, finely diced
• 3/4 cup (175 ml) sweet pepper (red or green), finely diced
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoon (10 ml) chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) hot sauce
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) liquid smoke (optional)

Preparation:

• Place 1/2 cup (125 ml) of the water or tomato juice in a bowl and mix with the cornstarch to make a thin paste.
• Place remaining tomato juice and/or water in a large microwaveable bowl. I prefer glass.
• Add the sugar and soy sauce.
• Bring to a low boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
• Stir in the cornstarch mixture and simmer until thickened.
• Add the vegetables, ginger and chili powder.
• Continue simmering until vegetables are tender (only takes a few minutes).
• Add the vinegar, hot sauce and liquid smoke.
• Stir, simmering another minute, then remove from heat (take out of microwave).
• Allow it to cool before using.
• The sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks (not that it lasts that long in our house!)

Comments: I like to substitute or add items to this recipe. Along with or instead of the peppers, I may use a couple of jalapenos. Because my hubby doesn't like onions, I put mine in a food chopper and get them so tiny he can't find them (I'm mean!). I may substitute Cayenne powder for the hot sauce. Depending on who is going to be using this sauce, I can adjust the "heat" up or down to taste. Be careful not to microwave this too long or it will get extremely thick and sticky.

Enjoy!