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Ketchup Wannabe


The title of this entry could also be called: Ketchup attempt #1, almost ketchup, Tomato-based sauce, or hmm not quite ketchup. This recipe has been kicking around since 2011 from the NY Times. I really based it very loosely on this recipe since when I made it following their directions, it came out very loose. I didn't even add the water as suggested and I had to cook it to make it thick. It is nonetheless quite good but I would not exactly call it ketchup.
Not very pleasant looking in the food processor
Ketchup Wannabe

3 tomatoes
3T vinegar
1 garlic clove
1/3 t ground cloves
1/3 c sugar
1T maple syrup
1/4 t sriracha (or cayenne pepper)
1T Worcestershire sauce
1t ground mustard seed
1T cornstarch

Slice the top off the tomato and squeeze the seeds out. Place the tomatoes in a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients. Puree. Pour into a small saucepan and simmer until thickened to a ketchup consistency.
Looks like Ketchup
Now this might not be ketchup but I do have to say it was quite tasty on oven fries. It was a little on the sweet side but then had a little heat from the sriracha.  It didn't make a huge amount so once I use this up I will try a different version. I'm thinking about using brown sugar next time and not making it as sweet. I didn't want to add molasses this time because adding the Worcestershire sauce (homemade of course) darkened the sauce already and I thought the molasses would make it even darker. (What am I talking about? brown sugar and molasses - well in case you didn't know molasses is what makes brown sugar brown. Here's a link if you want to read more).
Fries and Ketchup Wannabe

I think I might try omitting the cornstarch next time and see what happens. It did help with the thickening a bit but don't think it was entirely necessary. I don't know if this came out so liquidy because I used garden tomatoes or what? But I don't think that simmering it really harmed the fresh flavor.

So if I'm calling this version 1, why am I posting this? Because even though it was a first attempt, I do think it was quite good eating. And besides it's Labor Day - perfect time for a burger with ketchup wannabe!
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