Homemade Ketchup What Should I Make For... from whatshouldimakefor.com
Introduction
Ketchup is a staple condiment that goes well with almost everything. From burgers to fries, eggs, and sandwiches, it's hard to imagine enjoying these foods without ketchup. While store-bought ketchup is readily available and convenient, it often contains high amounts of sugar, preservatives, and additives that can affect your health. By making your own ketchup, you can control the ingredients and customize the taste to your liking. In this recipe, we will show you how to make homemade ketchup that is healthier and tastier than the store-bought version.
Ingredients
To make homemade ketchup, you will need the following ingredients:
1 can (28 oz) of whole peeled tomatoes
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
Substitutions
If you don't have some of the ingredients listed above, you can substitute them with the following:
Tomatoes: You can use canned or fresh tomatoes.
Apple cider vinegar: You can use white vinegar, red wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar.
Honey or maple syrup: You can use brown sugar, white sugar, or agave nectar.
Onion powder: You can use fresh onions or shallots.
Garlic powder: You can use fresh garlic cloves.
Spices: You can adjust the amount of spices to your liking or omit them altogether.
Instructions
Now that you have all the ingredients, let's get started with the instructions on how to make homemade ketchup:
Place the tomatoes and their juice in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.
Transfer the tomato puree to a medium saucepan and add the vinegar, honey or maple syrup, onion powder, garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves.
Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes or until the ketchup has thickened and reduced by about half.
Remove the ketchup from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
Transfer the ketchup to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.
Let the ketchup cool to room temperature.
Transfer the ketchup to a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Tips
If you want a smoother ketchup, you can strain the cooked mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before blending it.
If the ketchup is too thick, you can add a little water or apple cider vinegar to thin it out.
If the ketchup is too thin, you can simmer it for a few more minutes to thicken it.
You can adjust the sweetness of the ketchup by adding more or less honey or maple syrup.
You can adjust the spiciness of the ketchup by adding more or less black pepper or cayenne pepper.
Nutrition
Homemade ketchup is healthier than the store-bought version because it contains fewer preservatives, additives, and sugar. Here is the nutritional information for a serving of homemade ketchup (2 tablespoons):
Calories: 30
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 110mg
Total Carbohydrates: 7g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 6g
Protein: 1g
Conclusion
Making homemade ketchup is easy and fun, and it allows you to control the ingredients and customize the taste to your liking. Whether you prefer a sweeter or spicier ketchup, you can adjust the recipe to suit your taste buds. Give this recipe a try and enjoy a healthier and tastier version of this beloved condiment.