LIFT’s Stout BBQ Sauce

I wanted a BBQ sauce that would complement our Espresso & Chipotle Sea Salt, especially for cooking pork ribs on the BBQ!  I really think this is the best!! 

Yield:  3 cups

• 30 mL / 2 Tbsp avocado, grapeseed or canola oil
• 1 large sweet onion, minced (or if you prefer, use a brown onion)
• 6 large garlic cloves, grated with a microplane, or minced
• 1 156 mL / 5.5 oz can tomato paste
• 15 mL / 1 Tbsp LIFT Flavours Espresso & Chipotle Sea Salt
• 5 mL / 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 125 mL / 1/2 cup molasses
• 125 mL / 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 500 mL / 2 cup can stout beer of your choice (such as Perth Brewing Company’s Mocha Stout, or just plain ol’ Guinness) or even a porter
• 125 mL / 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 15 mL / 1 Tbsp maple syrup (optional)

1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the onion and sauté until opaque and softened, about 5-6 minutes.  Add the garlic, turn the heat to medium and continue to cook for another couple of minutes.
2. Turn the heat to low, add the tomato paste and stir to incorporate. Continue on low heat until the paste is an orangey-brownish, instead of bright red, about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
3. Stir in the Espresso & Chipotle Sea Salt and cocoa powder.  Cook a further two minutes on low.  Keep on stirring a bit!
4. Add the molasses, brown sugar, Stout and cider vinegar. Bring to a boil then reduce to medium and cook about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and reduced to 3 cups.
5. Puree in a food processor or blender, if desired, for a smoother texture. Or, use as is!
6. Taste for seasoning and sweetness. If you’ve used a stout instead of a porter, you may wish to sweeten it a bit further with the maple syrup.
7. Reserve and refrigerate if not using immediately. Use within 3 days, or freeze in 1-cup containers for future use and consume within 3 months, if you can resist for that long!

This BBQ sauce is amazing on pork side ribs or chops, steaks, roasts, burgers or rotisserie chicken.  Or, y'know, a spoon...!!

Serve with coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob or your favourite mash and steamed veg....

Enjoy!!

~ Stevie