Getcha Ketchup
It might surprise you to know that it really isn’t hard to make your own ketchup and one that tastes good too. When you are converting your kids to healthier whole food eating, this may be a good transitional recipe for you to try….if you have to go as far as putting it in a traditional ketchup bottle then do it….whatever it takes. When I first introduced my kids to this ketchup, I had to secretly put it on their plates so they wouldn’t notice that it came from a different container than the original Heinz ketchup. My daughter Mo hesitantly dipped her finger in the sauce and said, “Mmmmm this tastes just like the ketchup we get in the VAN!” We do a lot of traveling, and to her that meant, this is the same ketchup we would get when we went through a drive through or at any other restaurant that has traditional ketchup. Well hey, if she actually believes that, then I’m pretty sure it’s a go to keeper. The trick to getting a good ketchup taste is to cook it for a long time at a simmer, stirring frequently being sure not burn. A high boil is not a good idea because the dates tend to burn at that point. This recipe also stores well for a long time in the fridge. Pack in little single dose sealable cups for ketchup on the go.
- 7 dates
- 1 cup water
- 2 (6oz cans) tomato paste (no salt added)
- ¼ cup vinegar
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 pinches allspice
- 1 pinch salt (optional)
- Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth.
- Pour into a sauce pan and heat on medium high till bubbly, then turn down and simmer for at least 20 minutes taste testing along the way.
- You want to cook long enough that the fresh tomato taste is gone but be sure not to burn as the dates will change flavour and become unfavourable if over cooked or cooked at a high boil.
