BALSAMIC STRAWBERRY JALAPENO BARBECUE SAUCE
Heat and sweet combine beautifully in this barbecue sauce. And while it is wonderful on chicken or ribs, there’s no need to stop there. A dollop of this and a slab of blue cheese can turn a basic burger into a truly transformative grilling experience. To tame the heat a bit, don’t include the seeds or inner ribs of the jalapeno.
Start to finish: 1 hour
Makes 1 1/2 cups
2 cups balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup strawberry jam
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 large shallot, minced
1/2 fresh jalapeno, chopped
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt, to taste
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the vinegar and jam. Bring to a simmer and cook until reduced to about 3/4 cup. Stir in the tomato paste, shallots, jalapeno, mustard, olive oil and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for another 5 minutes, then transfer to a blender and puree until smooth. Season with salt.
Nutrition information per 2 tablespoons: 90 calories; 10 calories from fat (11 percent of total calories); 1 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 15 g sugar; 0 g protein; 190 mg sodium.
