Combatting the High Cost of Sauce

I was inspired to try a recipe for an interesting cocktail weenie concoction that called for Chili Sauce.

I didn’t need a “blow yer face off” hot chili sauce – or an asian style sweet/hot kind … something more like regular chili sauce that is tangy and tasty that will not destroy the taste buds …

As we made our weekly provision run-around, I was aghast to discover the only acceptable prepared chili sauce that could be found was only in one size and from one single company: Heinz !

The cost was three buckss for this slightly over a cup size bottle to boot !!!

That’s called the “cost of convenience”. However, I consider the cost and knowing what’s in it to be more convenient than trusting a bottle of something merely because it is on a store shelf !

Since chili sauce is merely kicked-up catsup, I decided to find a way to make it from near scratch.

Note:

Bottled, store bought catsup is merely 1/3 sugar – 1/3 salt – 1/3 tomato … with some water in there and a lot of chemicals thrown in to make it look pretty and not go bad that I would rather not ingest !

Apparently, this is why there is only one maker of chili sauce in one size to be found in local stores: It is something easy to do.

First, I wanted to see if I could make a no-cook version from other ready made condiments …

Success !!! Here it ’tis –

First, get out a big ‘ole bowl … and I mean “big ‘ole” …

Crack open an 8 ounce can of tomato sauce and slop that in –

Then plop two tablespoons of tomato paste in there –

Then squeeze out the juice of half a fresh lemon –

Dig out two tablespoons of brown sugar … light is better –

Then, raid your spice rack and throw in the following:

1/4 teaspoon of dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon of chili powder

Of course you throw in a couple “dashes” of Worcestershire Sauce

Whisk it all together –

… you’ll know when to stop by the looks of it.

Stick it in the ‘fridge until the next day.

You can bottle it in something airtight like a squeeze bottle.

Better yet – put it in the empty bottle of the store bought chili sauce to remind you of your triumph of over-priced convenience that comes in the bottle.

Victory tastes sweet !

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Pencils by Cole Johnson – color and story by Dana Simpson
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Category: Tony Rollo Blog