When I lived as a teenager in Key Biscayne FL in the 70's we loved to go to Shorty's, the best place for BBQ ever. It was always hot in Miami but when stepping inside Shorty's the smell and the food made you forget it was so hot. They did have air conditioning but because it was always so crowded it was also kinda hot still. Anyway, they had the best bbq sauce I can ever think of; just the right balance between tart, sweet, smokey and spicy, just the best. I went to Shorty's in June 2022 and nothing was like in the 70's not even the sauce, I read it had been sold a while back. I developed my own version and I think it's as close as I can imagine and remember. Tell me what you think and write to me if you make it!
Makes 3 cups
1 1/2 cups of beef stock
1/2 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon liquid hickory smoke
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon chili pepper flakes
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 tablespoon bacon rendered fat
Mix everything in a medium pot and bring to boil, lower the temperature to simmer and cook for 1 minute.
Let the sauce cool down.
Process everything in the blender until you have a dark brown rich BBQ sauce.
Use for your BBQ meats or refrigerate for 3 months in a glass bottle.
Warm up or bring to room temperature when ready to use.
Catalina, June 19, 2020