home made ketchup -- no sugar

Ketchup -- I mean, what's up with that? Right now, it's my kid's favourite condiment. And he likes a lot of it, not a dainty, tiny amount. In self-defence, I started making my own. It's actually very easy, makes quite a bit, keeps really well in the refrigerator, and offers control over the ingredients. 

equipment needed:

high speed blender (not essential, but very helpful) (you can use a hand blender, or other blender, I imagine)

microwave-safe dish (covered glass casserole) or pot on the stove

cutting board and knife

measuring cups and spoons

clean/sterilized jars

ketchup ingredients:

A)

1 onion, diced 

1/2 tsp garlic powder

B)

300 ml tomato paste (if you use a 368 ml tin, save 1/4 cup of tomato paste for making our gluten-free and plant-based pepperoni!!) (If you can afford amazing organic tomato paste, I highly recommend it -- I've made this with both generic tins, and fancy bio-italia, and the flavour of the bio-italia is a huge difference for $2 or $3 more)

C)

5 tbsp xylitol (or granulated sweetener of your choice!!) (up to 7 tbsp if you need more sweetness for proper balance depending on your tomato paste)

4 tbsp apple cider vinegar 

1tbsp balsamic vinegar

1  1/2 tsp sea salt 

1 1 /2 cup water

directions:

1. in a microwave safe dish, cook the onion with 1/2 tsp garlic and 1 tbsp of the water, covered in the microwave until translucent. If you don't want to use the microwave, cook it in a small pan on the stove until translucent in a couple tbsp of water ( or I will often use a covered glass casserole in the microwave, and add 1/2 cup of water to the cut up onion)

2. Once the onion is fully cooked, in the jar of your blender, add all the ingredients, and blend on high speed until completely smooth and even. 

3. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more sweetener. If you prefer it less sweet, start with fewer tbsp of granulated sweetner

4. experiment if you are feeling bold -- use other spices and flavours. Use date sugar as your sweetener! Throw in some smoked paprika! Be creative! Have fun!

5. store in glass jars in the fridge. 

6. makes about 4 cups