Let's Talk About Ketchup

     Ketchup. You know that blasé condiment we put on burgers and dip our french fries in? I thought it could use a makeover. I've been a loyal big name ketchup consumer forever. My kids love it. It's almost always on our scrambled eggs and breakfast potatoes. Have you ever read the ingredients? High fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, "spice", "natural flavorings".

    To quote the wikipedia article on high fructose corn syrup; "Health concerns have been raised about HFCS, which allege contribution to obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Critics of the extensive use of HFCS in food sweetening argue that the highly processed substance is more harmful to humans than regular sugar, contributing to weight gain by affecting normal appetite functions."

"The Corn Refiners Association disputes these claims and maintains that HFCS is comparable to table sugar. Studies by the American Medical Association state that "it appears unlikely that HFCS contributes more to obesity or other conditions than sucrose", but welcome further independent research on the subject. Further reviews in the clinical literature have disputed the links between HFCS and obesity, type 2 diabetes,and metabolic syndrome, and some food and beverage industry experts have concluded that HFCS is no different from any other sugar in relationship to these diseases."

     There is quite the debate on the subject. I feel like, if there's this much controversy surrounding it, why not just exclude it and make my own? Surprise, surprise, it tastes better than store bought! Like, the ketchup to end all ketchups. 

Homemade Ketchup

- 1 15 oz can tomato paste

- 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar

- 2 tsp onion powder

- 1 tsp garlic powder

- 1/2 tsp black pepper

- 1/2 tsp mustard powder

- 2 tsp sea salt

- 2 tbsp honey

- 1 cup water

I used a submersion blender for this but if you don't have one, just use a regular blender.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl or blender and blend until smooth.

It's that easy.

I stored mine in a store bought squeeze bottle or you can use a mason jar.

Now go put your homemade ketchup on everything.