Recipe courtesy of Doug Worgul
Cherry Bomb Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
1 yellow onion, chopped fine
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 can cherry juice concentrate
1 cup red wine vinegar
3 chipotle peppers, stems removed
4 packages dried sour cherries
8 cloves garlic, chopped fine
1 tablespoon paprika
6 to 8 pickled cherry peppers, stems removed
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup sour cherry preserves
One 12-ounce jar roasted red peppers, with liquid
2 tablespoons rye or bourbon whisky
2 tablespoons sugar (or more)
Salt to taste
Directions
- In a heavy saucepan, saute onion in oil until caramelized. Add cherry juice, vinegar, chipotle peppers two packages of dried cherries, garlic, paprika and pickled cherry peppers. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer until chipotle peppers are completely softened, at least 30 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool. In a food processor, puree this mixture together with the remaining two packages of dried cherries, the tomato paste, roasted red peppers and cherry preserves until smooth.
- Push puree through a fine mesh strainer into a saucepan. Add sugar and salt to taste. Add whiskey. Return to stove and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for another 20 minutes or so. Adjust salt and sugar.
Cook’s Note
This sauce probably won't be as thick as most commercial barbecue sauces.