Chipotle BBQ Sauce

It is always nice to find a sauce that can be used for different things.  I was drawn to this Chipotle BBQ Sauce because I love the smokey and spicy hot flavor of the chipotle.  A chipotle is a jalapeño that is smoke-dried.

The jalapeños used for chipotles are those that are left on the vine after the green jalapeños are picked.  The remaining chiles become bright red.  They are left on the bush as long as possible. When they turn a deep red, they have lost most of their moisture and are picked to become chipotles.

Once picked, they are placed on a grill in an enclosed smoking chamber.  There they are smoked and stirred every few hours to mix in the smoke.  They remain in the chamber for a few days until most of the moisture is removed.  When the process is complete, the chipotles have the appearance of a shriveled up prune or a raisin.

This is another sauce that tastes wonderful on a grilled burger but it also makes a fine pot of beans that I will tell you about the first of the week.

For now I want to share the sauce recipe.  Nobody will believe that this wonderful sauce only takes a few minutes to whip up in the blender!  Complex flavors in just a few minutes!

Chipotle BBQ Sauce

The Good Stuff by Spike Mendelsohn

Yield:  3 cups

1-2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1 Tbsp adobo sauce
2 cups sweet, mild barbecue sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp molasses

Place the chipotles and half of the sauce in a blender of food processor.  Puree until smooth.

Add the remaining ingredients and puree, again, until smooth.  Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain the mixture to remove all of the seeds.  Pour the sauce into a jar and set aside until ready to use.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

That's it folks.....Two simple steps away from a smokey, tangy barbecue sauce!

I am sharing today at Foodie Friday hosted by Michael at Rattlebridge Farm.