Saucy Truths
That said , tomato sauce is actually one of the better condiments when it comes to talking about health benefits ; it is made from tomatoes after all . Shop bought sauces like mayo , aioli , or other exoctic creamy looking salad dressings , are nine times out of 10 , extremely calorific . Making a sandwich loaded with mayo certainly isn ’ t the answer to leading a healthier lifestyle ; just one tablespoon contains about 120 calories and 13 grams of fat . Other sauces that commonly fill our fridges at this time of year include BBQ , brown and sweet chilli ; although great additions to our sausage baps , burgers and ribs , they too contain high levels of salt , fat and sugar . OK , using these sauces sparingly won ’ t pose huge threats to your overall health , but that ’ s not to say that you can ’ t start introducing some healthier alternatives ahead of this year ' s BBQ season and start by making your own .
Nothing quite beats a burger slathered in homemade BBQ or hot chilli sauce . There are so many recipes out there to choose from ; the hot and the spicy or the sweet and sour , there ’ s sure to be something to get everyone ’ s taste buds tingling and the nice thing about it ? You can control the heat ! Mayo is another condiment that ’ s relatively easy to conjure up , go for a basic never-fail option , or surprise your guests with a dairy-free nut alternative – the possibilities for this creamy emulsion really are endless .
But maybe it ’ s time to try something new , or you ' re looking to be a little more adventurous in the saucy department ? Spice up your BBQ spread with the Korean condiment that is taking the culinary world by storm : kimchi . This spicy and sour fermented pickle is made from a mix of cabbage , salt and red pepper flakes , and is a delicious addition to a burger . Other more child friendly options that are definitely worth adding to the list are salsa , which is great with absolutely anything ( and doesn ’ t have to be tomato based ), hummus or chutney – they ’ re all winners !
Pickled Walnut BBQ Sauce - Opies ( Kent Recipe )
Makes approximately 200ml Preparation time : 40 minutes Cooking time : 20 minutes Allergens : dairy , walnuts , mustard ( check ingredients of ketchup )
Ingredients :
• 2 tsp butter
• 150g tomato ketchup
• 40ml Opies Pickled Walnuts pickling liquor
• 25g soft brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp English mustard
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp black pepper
Method :
1 . Melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat , then add all the other ingredients .
2 . Gently simmer until thickened then leave to cool . Pour into an empty glass jar and serve alongside your BBQ feast .
CHECK OUT OUR PICK OF FAVOURITE KENT CONDIMENTS
Wonderchup
ChilliChup , Carringtons
Mighty fine saucy champions , Carringtons have produced awardwinning condiments since 2007 . Based in Faversham in the heart of Kent , Carringtons started from a love of food and cooking but also using honest ingredients . Chillichup is in fact their original sauce and was an instant hit among customers . The mild , chilli and tomato sauce has a hit of Moroccan spices ; it ’ s sweet with a warming hint of chilli and is great paired with meat and fish . A great addition to this year ' s BBQ .
The king of all ketchups , Wonderchup is our local tomato sauce alternative saviour . Based in Goudhurst , the authentic superhero business launched in early 2018 with the intention of creating a healthy alternative to our favourite condiment , enter Wonderchup , the no sugar , no salt family staple that is supercharged with vitamins . This product ticks all the boxes , and the company is watching its environmental footprint while they ’ re at it ! Health really can be delicious !
Smokey BBQ Mango , Brisket and Barrel
This French-inspired BBQ smokehouse and deli in Sevenoaks not only provide a unique and smokey dining experience , they have also developed a range of delicious sauces and rubs that are the perfect accompaniment to barbecued and slow-cooked meats . One of the favourites has to be their Smokey BBQ Mango sauce ; exotic and extremely moreish , this is one that once it ’ s open you won ’ t be able to stop eating .
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