Recipe: Mike's Real Simple Barbecue Sauce with Variations

MIKE'S REAL SIMPLE BARBECUE SAUCE

3/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed, or molasses
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar or your favorite cola (or better yet, 2 tablespoons each apple cider vinegar and cola)
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Salt and freshly ground pepper

In bowl, stir together ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and mustard, and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Makes enough sauce for 3 pounds of meat

VARIATIONS:

FOR HOT:
Add 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder and dashes of hot-pepper sauce to taste (or until your hair catches fire).

FOR ZESTY:
Add 1/4 cup Italian dressing.

FOR HEARTY:
Add 2 cups finely chopped onions or green bell peppers, or a combination (raw or sauteed).

FOR RICH:
Add 1/4 cup olive oil.

Makes 1 3/4 cups
Source: Mike Shugart in Extreme Barbecue by Dan Huntley and Lisa Grace Lednicer