Kansas City Style Barbecue Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons oil (neutral flavored)
• 1 onion, minced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups vegetable stock (low sodium preferred)
• 1 cup root beer
• 1 cup cider vinegar
• 1 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown mustard
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (a good sambol would do nicely, as well)
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke, divided

Directions

1. 1

   In medium dutch oven, heat oil over medium high heat till shimmery (but not smoking). Add onion and garlic and cook till soft, about 5 minutes.

2. 2

   Add stock, root beer, vinegar, corn syrup, molasses, tomato paste, ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, and 1/4 teaspoons liquid smoke. Stir with a whisk till well combined.

3. 3

   Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer till mixture has thickened and reduced to about 4 cups, about an hour. Remove from heat and stir in remaining liquid smoke.

4. 4

   Sauce will keep about a week in the refrigerator, or up to four months if frozen.