Basic Barbecue Sauce

This traditional American barbecue sauce is good on chicken, spareribs and hamburgers as well as beef brisket sandwiches (see related recipe at right). Because the sauce contains sugar, it burns easily and should be brushed on during the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking. Pass any remaining sauce at the table.

2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbs. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, or as needed

In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the onion and garlic and cook gently, stirring, for about 5 minutes. Add the ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, chili powder and cayenne, to taste (the more cayenne you use, the hotter it will be). Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 20 minutes. Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Kitchen Library Series,Grilling,by John Phillip Carroll

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