Blueberry BBQ Sauce: A Fruity Twist for Grilling Enthusiasts
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 1 cup
Description
Embark on a culinary adventure with this delightful Blueberry BBQ Sauce, a creation inspired by the renowned chef Christine Cushing, perfect for enhancing your grilled dishes, particularly chicken, Cornish hens, or succulent pork tenderloin. This sauce harmoniously marries the sweet-tart essence of fresh blueberries with a medley of savory ingredients, crafting a unique flavor profile that elevates any summer barbecue. While fresh berries are ideal for this recipe, you can also opt for frozen blueberries—just be mindful that they may require additional time to reduce properly.
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 tbsp | Vegetable oil |
| 1 | Medium onion, chopped |
| 1 | Garlic clove, minced |
| 1 | Fresh ginger, minced |
| 1 cup | Fresh blueberries |
| 1/2 cup | Cider vinegar |
| 1/2 cup | Honey |
| 1/4 cup | Molasses |
| 1/4 cup | Ketchup |
| 1 tbsp | Paprika |
| 1 tsp | Coarse salt |
| 1/2 tsp | Cracked black pepper |
| 1/4 tsp | Ground cinnamon |
| 1 tbsp | Dijon mustard |
| 1/4 tsp | Ground nutmeg |
| 1/4 tsp | Celery seed |
| 1/8 tsp | Cayenne pepper |
| 1/4 tsp | Ground cloves |
| 2 tbsp | Brown sugar |
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1175.8 |
| Total Fat | 29.2 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.9 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 231.2 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 239.9 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.3 g |
| Sugars | 213.1 g |
| Protein | 4.4 g |
Instructions
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Heat the Oil: Begin by heating the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, allowing it to shimmer gently before introducing your aromatic ingredients.
-
Sauté Aromatics: Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and fresh ginger to the pan. Sauté these ingredients until they become soft and fragrant, which should take approximately 3 minutes. The aroma will be tantalizing, setting the stage for the rest of the sauce.
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Add Blueberries: Stir in the fresh blueberries and allow them to cook for an additional 2 minutes, just until they begin to burst and release their juices, adding a lovely purple hue to the mixture.
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Incorporate the Sauce Ingredients: Carefully add the cider vinegar, honey, molasses, ketchup, paprika, coarse salt, cracked black pepper, ground cinnamon, Dijon mustard, ground nutmeg, celery seed, cayenne pepper, ground cloves, and brown sugar into the saucepan. Stir the mixture well, ensuring that all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
-
Bring to a Boil: Increase the heat and bring the sauce to a boil, allowing it to bubble enthusiastically for a brief moment.
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Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld beautifully while thickening the sauce to the desired consistency.
-
Purée the Sauce: After simmering, use an immersion blender to purée the mixture until it reaches your desired texture. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can strain it back into a clean saucepan, removing any blueberry skins or larger bits.
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Final Simmer: Bring the puréed sauce back to a gentle simmer and let it cook for a few more minutes to deepen the flavors further.
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Cool Completely: Once the sauce has reached your desired flavor and consistency, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a jar or container for storage.
This Blueberry BBQ Sauce is not only a unique addition to your grilling repertoire but also a delightful way to celebrate the bounties of summer. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing the flavors to continue developing over time. Enjoy your culinary masterpiece at your next gathering or simply savor it on a cozy weeknight dinner!
