The Best Barbecue Sauce

Recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Yield:  about 7 cups of sauce

Ingredients:

2 cups ketchup

2 cups tomato sauce

1 1/4 cups brown sugar

1 1/4 cups red wine vinegar

1/2 cup unsulphured molasses

2 Tbsp butter, cut into small pieces

4 tsp hickory flavored liquid smoke

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp chili powder

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp celery seed

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp salt

1 tsp ground pepper

Directions:

In a large saucepan, over medium heat, mix together all the wet ingredients and then add the seasonings.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  The sauce will thicken as it simmers (and as it cools).  Ideally, plan ahead and allow the mixture to simmer for about an hour.  Use the sauce to brush onto meats the last 10 minutes of grilling, or use in any other recipe where barbecue sauce is used.

Once cooled, the sauce can be frozen or stored in the refrigerator for up to a month.  If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator and use as needed.