Happy Sunday everyone! Because we planned on traveling to Boston this weekend and had to cancel, we had some free time!
I love having leisurely relaxed weekends with no agenda. I’ve had my car for almost a decade now and it’s been giving us quite a bit of trouble lately so we decided to brave the car dealership yesterday and we are now the proud owners of a new car. Wow – when you only buy cars every ten years, the sticker shock is tremendous.
We we not able to afford the same Yukon XL car that has served us over the years. The car that took our babies home from the hospital, drove us across the country two times, went through snow storms and extreme desert heat, is now in the hands of our local GMC dealership. We downsized, but it is a beautiful car and I am sure it will serve our family, just as the old “Buzz Wagon” did. I must say, I had a hard time saying goodbye to our old car. So many fond memories. But, on with the new!
Since I am not marathon training for a while, I thought it was the perfect time to clean up my diet and shed a few marathon lbs. I’m challenging myself to Laura’s sugar detox, which is always eye opening. We consume a ton of hidden sugars in simple things like condiments.
A few years ago I created a low sugar /lower carb Ketchup that we have continued to use. We put it on all kinds of things, from eggs to meatloaf. I found that one way to give a it sweeter flavor is to use Balsamic vinegar instead of Red Wine. It gives it a rich, tangy, sweet flavor. The results are amazing.
What You’ll Need
6 oz. can of tomato paste (1 oz. of tomato paste contains about 3.03 g of carbs)
1/2 cup of Erthyitol or Stevia
3/4 Balsamic Vinegar (has 2.0 gm of sugar per Tbsp- so this recipe not for someone on a NO carb diet)
1/4 of Water
1 t. sea salt
1/4 t. garlic powder
1/4 onion powder
- 6 oz. can of organic tomato paste
- 1/2 cup of Erthyitol or Stevia–( if you are not looking for sugar free you could use honey or agave)
- 3/4 cup of aged balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 t. sea salt
- ¼ t. of garlic powder
- ¼ t. onion powder
- In a small sauce pan, over medium high heat, pour water, vinegar, and Erthyitol, stir until sweetener is completely dissolved. Add tomato paste and whisk until smooth, add garlic powder, onion powder and sea salt- stir until thickened. Remove from heat and cool. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Try this clean eating recipe on baked sweet potato fries or make a sugar free/ low carb cocktail sauce out of it by adding Horseradish. I like mine spicy, so start by adding a Tablespoon at a time and go from there.
Time to discover other amazing homemade condiments–
These look so easy and delicious —
Pickled Red Onions by The Cafe’ Sucre Farine
Homemade Worcestershire Sauce by Little House Living
Homemade Steak Sauce by Little House Living
Avocado Cilantro Sauce by The Garden Grazer
Homemade Harissa by Half Baked Harvest
South Indian Red Bell Pepper Chutney by Love Food Eat
Rustic Balsamic Mustard by Cooking in Silettos
Vietnamese Style Pickles by Todd Porter and Diane Cu
Thai Sweet Chili Sauce by She Simmers
I should note that both Tomatoes and Balsamic contain a small amount of sugar, and that I am not and RD- just a home cook who enjoys creating healthier recipes.
With summer just around the corner, I can’t wait to fire up the BBQ and get in the kitchen. How about you?
Are you looking forward to Summer? Have you ever done homemade condiments? Can you believe how much sugar is in most store bought ketchup?
