This recipe was generously donated by Al Carson of Raleigh, North Carolina.
Al says, "For pig picking dip or chops, ribs, and chicken on the grill. Some folks even put it on burgers and steaks. what can I say? When cooking on the grill, baste meat last 15 minutes. The sauce contains sugar and will burn if applied much earlier. Also makes a dandy pasta salad sauce. Just add two tablespoons of olive oil to half a cup of sauce and mix with your favorite pasta and whatever else you like (cheese, diced onions, peppers, carrots, celery, olives, mushrooms,
broccoli, or cauliflower). Some folks even use it as a regular salad dressing and I like it as a slaw dressing, mixed half and half with mayonnaise. The recipe makes a lot - but I never have enough!"
Al's Secret Sauce
Most families and restaurants
that are known for their barbecues make their own sauce. In fact, they'll
tell you that the "secret is in the sauce." You would no more ask a barbecue
man for his sauce recipe that you would for the use of his dog. Most people
simply call their sauce "Secret Sauce."
Recipe Type:
Condiments and Sauces
Yields: serves many
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients:
1 gallon apple cider vinegar
1 (28-ounce) bottle Del Monte ketchup
2 3/4 cups firmly-packed brown sugar
1/4 cup garlic powder
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Preparation:
In a large stainless-steel pot over medium-high heat, combine all the ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for approximately 15 minutes or until crushed red pepper sinks. Remove from heat.
It should be bottled hot, not boiling. Just hot enough that the bottles are hard to hold for more than a few seconds. Fill bottles within 1/2 inch of the top. By bottling hot, it will seal itself. Does not need refrigeration until after opening and then only to protect flavor.
The sauce does not seem to have a problem with spoilage. I have used unopened bottles a year later and they have been very good. The sauce does get hotter with age.
Optional: If you like the sauce even hotter, add 1/4 cup of Tabasco before cooking.
