Monday, September 24, 2012

Apple BBQ Sauce

When the nights start getting a bit cooler and I start reaching for a jacket in the morning as I leave for work, I usually get really excited.  Fall is one of my favorites, with the milder temperatures, changing colors on the trees...  and apples!  This year I've been a bit hesitant to embrace fall, holding the last of the peaches, tomatoes and corn tight.  Until now.



Thanks to Natasha & Laz, apples are the star of this month's makeover!  As I slowly came around to fall produce and started consuming honeycrisps daily, I started thinking about the challenge.  And thinking.  And drawing blanks.  While I do like to mix things up when it comes to apples, they're usually baked.  Exhibit A: an apple pie with a rosemary crust & gruyere crumble and Exhibit B: an apple pie with a gingersnap crust and bacon crumble.  Even this chilled apple soup is not to be missed.  This time I went savory.

apple bbq sauce, herbed turkey meatballs, cheddar


This time, I made an apple BBQ sauce to accompany some herbed turkey meatballs.  The results were pretty fantastic, and I can't wait to use my leftover sauce!



Apple BBQ Sauce
adapted from the Leftover Queen & Food In My Beard
Yield:  ~2c

1T extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced/pressed
3 apples, peeled, cored & roughly chopped (I used 2 cortland and 1 granny smith)
4 roma tomatoes, cored & diced
1/4c maple syrup
1/4c molasses
1/4c + 1T cider vinegar
2T lemon juice
2T ketchup
1T tomato paste
1T worcestershire sauce
1 chipotle in adobo
1/2t salt
freshly ground pepper, to taste
1t coriander
2t cumin
1t smoked paprika
1t mustard powder

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat.  Add onions and saute a few minutes, until they become translucent.  Add the garlic and apples, and stir well.  Continue to cook over medium heat ~5min.  Add the remaining ingredients, stir well and cover.  Simmer for 20-30min, until apples have softened and flavors have had time to marry.  Carefully transfer to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth (could also use a hand blender).  Taste and adjust seasonings, perhaps it might need a little more salt, a kick of some hot sauce, or a little more acid/sugar.

I served this with herbed turkey meatballs and a slice of cheddar, but it would also be fantastic on some pork.



How would you use this apple BBQ sauce?  I have 1c left and need some more ideas!!

24 comments:

Victoria said...

That looks awesome with the meatballs!

Maybe use it as a dip for almond-crusted chicken fingers?

Victoria said...

Oh yum!! I've seen peach bbq sauce done, but not apple. I'm sold! Would definitely love to try this out :)

Lauren @ Healthy Food For Living said...

I love the sound of this! Creative use of apples, and a gorgeous presentation with the turkey meatballs.

I bet the leftovers would be great with pulled pork or chicken!

Lazaro Cooks said...

Love the recipe for the BBQ sauce. That dish had to have been so packed with flavor.

Use the leftover BBQ as the sauce for a BBQ apple pizza.

Well, what else did you think I'd say? I am a pizza addict...=)

Faith said...

Oh wow, I am amazed! I never thought to use apple in BBQ sauce but it is a brilliant idea. Sounds pretty incredible with turkey meatballs and cheddar. Funny, I was also going to suggest using the rest of the sauce on a BBQ pizza! :)

Joan Nova said...

That's some list of ingredients. You sure packed in a lot of flavor. I think it was a great idea and very well executed.

Anonymous said...

A very flavorful BBQ sauce with apple, and a great compliment the meatballs, delicious.

Kristen said...

I bet it would taste really good on pulled chicken - in the crock pot, put on some of your awesome sauce. yum!

Colleen @ Culinary Colleen said...

I love your idea to pair this sauce with turkey meatballs! Sounds like a great sandwich spread, too!

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

I really enjoy a fruity savory sauce with meats. This is a great one indeed. Still holding on to my peaches!

Delicious Dishings said...

Ooh this would make an awesome pulled pork. I love fall too and really hope I can squeeze in an apple picking trip at some point.

Elizabeth said...

This sounds awesome!

Emily @ A Cambridge Story said...

Love this idea! What a great way to enjoy the season's bounty :) I made peach BBQ sauce this summer and loved it with pulled pork quesadillas - maybe this would work similarly?!

http://platanosmangoes.com said...

Wow! This is packed with flavor. I am running out to get some ribs...

Hannah said...

Quite frankly, I find BBQ sauce unappealing to the point of being nauseating. That's why it's so significant that I would actually try your version- It sounds like it has that much potential!

We Are Not Martha said...

I don't know why, but I've been craving meatballs so much lately. They make me so happy for fall :) I LOVE the idea of this apple BBQ sauce!

Sues

Angie's Recipes said...

What a lovely apple recipe! I believe that I have all the ingredients, even the smoked paprika! Thanks for sharing it!

Natalie said...

ooh I think you need to use it on a pizza!

Lori Lynn said...

Hi Shannon ~ sounds quite delicious. I think your sauce would be excellent on a grilled chicken sandwich, with a slice of apple, melting cheddar, and arugula.
LL

Anonymous said...

I love turkey meatballs, I never would've thought to pair it with an apple BBQ sauce. It's genius! Awesome contribution to the group!

Ranjani said...

Great idea! BBQ sauce is something I've been wanting to try making myself, and this apple version is so perfect for fall

Tasty Trix said...

I love that you used apples in a sauce for a savory dish - I am actually starting to come around to apples, what with all these fantastic creations!

Kerstin said...

Homemade BBQ sauce is the best and doing an apple twist is such a great idea - yum!

DiLina said...

How many calories in an Apple? See below, the Apple calories for the different serving sizes. We provide you with Apple nutrition facts and the health benefits of Apples to help you to lose weight and eat a healthy diet.

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