Make it Yourself Monday: Memorial Day Edition

Since this is a holiday weekend, and many of us are honoring the troops with parades and picnics, I though homemade barbecue sauce would be a great Make-It-Yourself idea for this week. 

Let’s be honest, store-bought barbecue sauce is not that expensive. I bought 2 bottles at Wegmans for $1.49 each last week. But sometimes you either run out, or you’d like to make your own concoction that is free of artificial flavors and preservatives. 

I originally got this recipe from Emeril Lagasse from the Food Network, but I have tweaked it to my own tastes. It’s extremely adaptable.

• 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar

• 1 cup ketchup ( I found Hunt’s No-HFCS for $1/bottle at Price Rite)

• 1/4  cup packed dark brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

• 1 tablespoon dark molasses

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Stir all ingredients together vigorously, making sure to dissolve all the sugar.  Store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can use it immediately, but it will taste better the next day, after the flavors have a chance to meld.