Sweet 'n' smoky BBQ sauce

Marty Wells
Bad to the Bone BBQ, San Juan Capistrano

A specialty of Bad to the Bone BBQ, this sauce has "just enough vinegar to give it a nice, pungent taste and enough smokiness to balance out the sweetness," creator Marty Wells said. "It complements any smoked meat."

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups ketchup
1 cup water
3/4 cup vinegar
3/4 cup tomato paste
3/4 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup honey
3 tbsp. molasses
4 tsp. salt
4 tsp. Worcestershire
4 tsp. liquid smoke
1 tbsp. applesauce
1 1/2 tsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. onion powder
3/4 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. white pepper
1/8 tsp. celery seed
1/8 tsp. ground cumin

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool; transfer to a jar and store, refrigerated, up to 2 weeks.

Makes 4 cups