Easy to make homemade condiments

A really cool way to have fun in the kitchen, switch up recipes, and experiment with food pairings is to try out a variety of condiments. Using a different condiment with the same ingredients leaves you with a completely different meal every time. It’s a great way avoid kitchen boredom and to rotate flavors so that your taste buds are continually challenged.

There are tons of condiments to choose from, and I highly suggest experimenting to see which ones really appeal to you. The tried and true classic condiments are refrigerator staples in most homes, but I’m sure you’ll be surprised at how quickly and easily you can prepare them in your kitchen. Plus, homemade condiments normally carry far more nutritional value than the store-bought versions that tend to be full of sugar and preservatives.

Embark on a fun kitchen experiment by making your own condiments! Here are a few recipes to get you started. You probably have 95 percent of the ingredients already in your kitchen!

Ketchup

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/3 cup filtered water
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 6 oz can tomato paste
• 3/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Mix ingredients together and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Stir often to prevent burning.
2. Once the mixture starts to boil, reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Stir every few minutes to prevent burning.
3. After 15-20 minutes, remove the saucepan from the stove and let the mixture cool.
4. When the ketchup is cool, store it in the refrigerator in a mason jar or another covered container.

Pesto

Ingredients:

• 1 cup stemless basil leaves
• 1 tablespoon pine nuts
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 tsp fresh black pepper
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients, except olive oil, in a food processor. Process ingredients until finely minced, adding in the oil slowly as you continue processing.
2. Once the mixture is thoroughly blended, store it in the refrigerator in a mason jar or a similar glass container.

Barbecue sauce

Ingredients

• 2 cups ketchup
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tbsp coconut aminos
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 tsp smoked paprika

Directions:

1. Whisk all ingredients together in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Once the mixture begins to boil, reduce heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer.
3. Once the sauce starts to thicken, turn off of the heat and allow it to cool.
4. Store in a glass container with a lid in the refrigerator.

Salad Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Directions:

1. Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.
2. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

Hot sauce

Ingredients:

• 20 cayenne peppers
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 4 tsp garlic, minced
• 1 cup tomato, diced
• 1/2 cup onion, diced
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Slice tops off of peppers and toss all ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. After 10-15 minutes, peppers should be tender.
3. Pour all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
4. Place hot sauce in an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator.

What are some of your favorite summer recipes?  Which condiments are a must for those recipes?