Kansas City-Style BBQ Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons neutral-tasting oil, such as grapeseed or vegetable


• 6 cloves garlic, smashed


• 2 tablespoons tomato paste


• 1 slightly heaping tablespoon chili powder


• 1 tablespoon paprika


• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper


• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice


• Pinch ground cloves


• 2 cups ketchup


• 2 cups water


• 1/2 cup cider vinegar


• 1/4 cup dark molasses


• 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar


• 1 tablespoon kosher salt


• 1 tablespoon soy sauce


• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce


• 2 teaspoons English-style dried mustard


• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper


• 1 bay leaf

Directions

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, paprika, red pepper, allspice, and cloves and cook, stirring, until paste is dark brick red, about 3 minutes. Add the ketchup, water, vinegar, molasses, brown sugar, salt, soy sauce, Worcestershire, mustard, black pepper, and bay leaf. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the flavors come together, about 30 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaf before using.