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Cherry Barbecue Sauce


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Cherry Barbecue Sauce

Recipe Notes

  • Yield: Makes 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces (3/4 cup) black cherry soda
  • 1 cup pitted fresh ripe cherries (or 1 17-ounce can Bing cherries, drained)
  • 3 tablespoons cherry preserves
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup dry red wine (divided use)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Recipe Steps

Step 1: Place the cherry soda, cherries, cherry preserves, lemon zest and juice, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and 3 tablespoons of wine in a heavy saucepan and gradually bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and gently simmer the sauce to cook the cherries and concentrate the flavors, 5 minutes.

Step 2: Place the remaining 1 tablespoon wine and cornstarch in a small bowl and stir to form a slurry (thick paste). Whisk this paste into the sauce. Bring the sauce to a boil: it will thicken.

Step 3: Correct the seasoning, adding salt, pepper, sugar, or lemon juice to taste: the sauce should be highly seasoned.