Sweet with Heat Sauce

This is one you’re going to love! There’s a fun backstory behind this creation: A couple of years ago, while cooking chicken wings, I couldn’t decide on a sauce—sweet, spicy, or barbecue? So, I raided the fridge, pillaged the spice cabinet, and ended up with a sauce that perfectly balances sweet and heat. It’s different, it’s bold, and it hits your palate on so many levels—it’s mind-blowing! Give it a try!"

Ingredients

(Makes approximately 1/2 cup of sauce)

• 1/2 cup ketchup

• 1 tsp yellow mustard

• 2 tbsp grape jelly (apricot jelly works great, too)

• 1 tsp granulated onion

• 1/2 tsp kosher or sea salt

• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1/8 tsp cayenne powder (1/4 tsp if you want it spicier)

• 2 tbsp light or dark brown sugar

• 1/2 tsp finely minced garlic

• 1 tsp chili garlic sauce

• 1/2 tsp ground horseradish sauce

• 3 tsp hot honey

• 2 dashes liquid smoke

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• Water (as needed to thin the sauce)

Directions

1. Combine Ingredients:
   In a small saucepan, add all of the ingredients.

2. Bring to a Boil:
   Heat the saucepan and bring the mixture to a low boil while continuously whisking.

3. Simmer:
   Lower the heat to medium-low. Keep whisking until the jelly has fully incorporated into the sauce.

Tips & Variations

• Adjusting Consistency:
  If you prefer a thinner sauce, add small amounts of water gradually until you reach your desired thickness.

• Substituting Hot Honey:

  • If you don’t have hot honey, you can use regular honey.

  • For the heat, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne powder instead of the 1/8 teaspoon.

• Alternative Heat Option:
  You can also substitute ghost pepper powder for cayenne. Add a few sprinkles at a time, tasting as you go, to achieve the level of heat you desire.

Serving Suggestions

• Use the sauce over chicken wings, chicken breast, ribs, pork chops, or even rice.

• It also works great as a dipping sauce for steak. 😊🔥