The Junk.... That makes burgers go oooooooooooooo....Homemade Ketchup, b.b.q. sauce and the almighty burger sauce.

The spidazzzzzz......

Well this month marks my 1st Blog Birthday. Yeah to me!! It has been so much fun, and a lot of joyous work. I feel at times like I am neglecting It's all about the food. Please know that in my heart if I could I would  love to make my blog  a full time job.BUT... I am the major bread winner on this adventure,and so I will have to keep It's all about the food updated  as frequently  as possible for my loyal followers.

I have to give a shout out to all my visitors.WORLDWIDE!!Without you, I would not have a voice in the world of food blogging, and I thank you all for taking the time to read my blog and taking the time to pass the word around..

Let's talk condiments. Mustard, salad dressing, mayo, chili sauce, hot sauce, hoisin sauce. I can go on for my love of "extras" it seems to  never end... I love the things that make my food go..." Oh, now were talking." Ketchup, burger sauce and b.b.q sauce are the quintessential three amigo's of a good burger.
Of course most grocery chains have heeps of products to choose from, but have you ever made your own? A nice little treat to give your food an extra zing, and I promise your mouth is going to thank you.

Adapted From Liselotte Forslin's new cookbook Junk Food  available only in Swedish http://www.adlibris.com/se/product.aspxisbn=918586143X

Sweet Home Ketchup


2 cans of  whole tomatoes ( 400 grams each)
2 00 grams/ apple cider vinegar¨
2 bay leafs
1 pinch of ground cinnamon(or more to taste) 
2 whole cloves
100 grams/ raw sugar(unrefined sugar) use brown if you must
100 grams tomato paste
2 tablespoons potato starch/corn starch
salt, water


Directions:

apple cider vinegar, tomato paste,potato flour,died bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves and raw sugar

1. Open the tined tomatoes and strain the juice from the tomatoes into a bowl. set the juice aside for another use. In a medium heavy bottomed saucepan. Add your apple cider vinegar, bay leafs, cinnamon and cloves, raw sugar and bring to a slow boil. 

slow cooking(I used two cans of crushed tomatoes instead of whole. I used what I had

you can use corn starch if you wish

2. Add the tomatoes, tomato puree and 1 teaspoon of salt. Let the vinegar and tomato mixture come to a simmer with out a lid for at least 45 minutes. Stirring  occasionally to prevent the mixture from burning on the bottom of the pot. After 45 minutes remove the bay leafs and the cloves.

soooooo beautiful!!

3. Using a hand held mixer or a Cuisinart. Puree into a fine sauce. (NOTE: I strained mine and took out all the left over seeds and skins and bits.) Add back to pan(if straining) and turn down heat to low, and add the cold water and potato starch mixture to your tomato mixture and stir until well blended. If it becomes to thick, thin out with some water. Until you get the consistency you desire. Taste, taste, taste is all I can say. I added a few more pinches of both cinnamon and ground cloves as well as some sea salt flakes and freshly ground pepper. MMMMM... good!




Holy Smoke of B.B.Q. sauce Swedish Style


gives 200 grams
300 grams ketchup
3 tablespoons dark brown muscovado sugar or brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons of spoked paprika powder
2 grated fresh garlic cloves
1 tablespoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon chili flakes
1-2 teaspoons hickory liquid smoke for my Swedish readers: http://www.kryddlandet.se/search.aspx?searchterms=liquid+smoke

what I like to add in my burgers. A quick mince in the Cuisinart a few tablespoons of the Smokey B.B.Q. sauce= mmmm 

Directions:
In a small saucepan add all the ingredients and let come to a simmer. Let cook uncovered for 5 minutes, adjust taste if needed. Let cool. Store in the refrigerator. Add a few tablespoons to your favorite hamburger meat mixture and grill. Fantastic spice and taste.


Dressing Chili style
gives 300 grams

if you have these at your availably PLEASE use them!!

Blend 2 tablespoons of Hellman's mayo(if available)* with 200 grams cream fraiche/sour cream, 3 tablespoons of your favorite chili sauce. 1 tablespoon of relish and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard  and salt to taste. Mix all together and let sit in the fridge for at least one hour before serving. Soooo yummy!!

If you can not find "fresh lovely tomatoes this time of year.. These will do as well.

Happy burger making and if you are ever so fortunate to live in the sun, please go out and grill some burgers tonight. I hope you give these a try. So nice on any type of burger, from full beef, pork, veal, turkey, salmon, ostrich, and veggie. The three amigo's of burger bliss will not disappoint.