Ingredients

Ingredients:
•1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste with garlic
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 min.
3. Stir often.
4. Remove from heat and cover til cool.
5. Keep in a covered container in fridge.

My Notes



Above is the basic Heinz Ketchup recipe clone - it is good and a great place to start, while here on CHOW we know a recipe is just a guide. Skip the light corn syrup and go with all white granulated sugar (1/3 to 1/2 cup will do it, to make ketchup similar to 'Simply Heinz'). The sweetener I like to use to make my catsup is evaporated cane juice - instead of light corn syrup and / or granulated white sugar. Evaporated cane juice is a less-processed sugar. It has a more complex flavor and comes in light brown granules. Evaporated cane juice is not as dark or as strong molasses-tasting as light brown sugar.

If desire a stronger tomato flavor to be more like Del Monte Tomato Ketchup use less sweetener and vinegar (I omit the corn syrup and sugar then add 1/3 cup evaporated cane juice and back the vinegar down to 1/3 cup). Still perfecting an even stronger more intense tomato-flavored not so sweet catsup version beyond this decent Del Monte-like recipe (there is nothing like it available commercially and into making my own sauces feel it could be something special while taking it to the next level is beyond a ketchup clone if you choose to go there with me).

MY NOTES

Ketchup is great made spicy. Can add your favorite grind of chili peppers when make it to cook in the heat. Or mix in some of your favorite hot sauce to taste after it is done (works great if others do not like it as spicy as you do). Asian sriracha hot chili sauce mixed in ketchup is a tasty favorite.

Catsup mixed with Worcestershire is the start of a decent steak sauce. Ketchup can begin a BBQ sauce. Catsup with mayo is a basic 1000 island dressing (to make not so basic I like to add fine chopped pickle, fresh lime juice, Worcestershire, fine grated Pecorino Romano, and a little salt & pepper). Catsup, a vegetable oil that does not get hard in the fridge, sugar, and vinegar equal parts makes a yummy french dressing I like to eat drizzled over home made ranch on a salad. Ketchup and ketchup sauces is great on french fries, burgers, sausage / hot dogs (with mustard), fried potatoes, and salads. What is your favorite way to eat catsup?

Enjoy. Is simple to make. Please share how you modify to make perfect for you and yours. Still tuning it, but a good start. All feedback and ideas are welcome

jan's canning