Hedgerow Ketchup Recipes

HEDGEROW KETCHUP

Steps:

• Wash your bottles in hot soapy water, rinse well and leave upside down to dry. Wash and pick over all the fruit. Tip into a large pan with the shallots, salt and vinegar. Measure the spice bag ingredients onto a square of muslin, tie with kitchen string and add to the pan.
• Bring slowly to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer very gently, partially covered, for 30 mins until all the fruit is softened. Remove the spice bag and press the mixture through a plastic sieve to remove seeds and tough skins.
• Put your prepared bottles in a moderate oven (180C/160C fan/gas 4) for 10 mins. Return the ketchup mixture to the rinsed-out pan and add the sugar. Bring to the boil, stirring, then boil hard for 8-10 mins until thick and syrupy. Decant into your warm bottles, seal and label. Will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks - for long-term storage (up to a year), the ketchup will need to be sterilised (see tip, below left).

HOMEMADE KETCHUP

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the ginger, garlic, mustard powder, allspice and cayenne and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute, then add the whole peeled tomatoes and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon; remove from the heat.
• Puree the ketchup in batches in a blender until smooth; return to the pot. Add the bay leaves, brown sugar, vinegar, molasses and 4 teaspoons salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching, until very thick, about 1 hour, 45 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and let the ketchup cool. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
• Cook 3 slices finely chopped bacon in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 12 minutes. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon drippings from the pan, then stir in 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Stir in 1 cup homemade ketchup (above); simmer 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar and thin with water, if necessary. Serve warm.
• Peach-Curry Ketchup
• Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup chopped peeled peaches, 1 teaspoon chopped peeled ginger and 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in 1 cup homemade ketchup (above); simmer 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender and add 2 tablespoons water; puree until smooth.
• Chop 1 to 2 teaspoons chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, then mash with the flat side of the knife. Heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon ground cumin and stir 10 seconds, then stir in 1 cup homemade ketchup (above) and the chipotles; simmer 2 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon each lime juice and honey and thin with water, if necessary.

HOMEMADE KETCHUP

Steps:

• Pour ground tomatoes into slow cooker. Swirl 1/4 cup water in each emptied can and pour into slow cooker. Add sugar, vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, celery salt, mustard powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and whole clove; whisk to combine.
• Cook on high, uncovered, until mixture is reduced by half and very thick, 10 to 12 hours. Stir every hour or so.
• Smooth the texture of the ketchup using an immersion blender, about 20 seconds.
• Ladle the ketchup into a fine strainer and press mixture with the back of a ladle to strain out any skins and seeds.
• Transfer the strained ketchup to a bowl. Cool completely before tasting to adjust salt, black pepper, or cayenne pepper.

KETCHUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan combine tomatoes, fennel, onion, garlic, sugar, molasses, vinegar, cloves, anise pods and salt. Reduce over low heat until mixture becomes very thick.
• Puree mixture in a blender and strain through a mesh strainer. Chill and store in refrigerator.