[zoesmom]

SUGAR-FREE LOW CARB BBQ SAUCE (that tastes way better than Walden Farms, although not 0/0/0 like WF)

Ingredients:
•2 strips of turkey bacon, chopped fine (or see note)
•1 small onion, minced
•1 clove garlic, minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
•1 small can (6 oz) tomato paste
•1 can (12 oz) diet (sugar-free) cola - Splenda-sweetened preferred
•1/4 cup low carb (sugar-free) Heintz ketchup, (or see note)
•3 T mustard
•1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
•1 pinch ground cloves
•1/2 cup of water
----hot sauce to taste is desired----

Directions:
1) Fry the bacon in a saucepan - a 2 qt pan works well.
2) Add the onion and cook over medium until soft - 3-5 minutes. Add garlic at this point if you're using fresh and stir it for half a minute or so.
3) Add the rest of the ingredients, plus about half a cup of water. Stir well. 4) Simmer for 20-30 minutes. It will cook down a bit and flavors will combine. 5) Adjust the seasonings so you have the balance you want - you can add vinegar, artificial sweetener (liquid preferred), or hot sauce. (If it's too hot, adding more sweetener will tone it down.)

Tips and Notes:
If you prefer to leave the bacon out, add 1-3 teaspoons of liquid smoke, to taste, near the end of the cooking. Alternatively, add some smoky flavor using 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, or chipotle powder to taste. If you can't find low carb catsup, leave it out, but add about a tablespoon of vinegar and some sweetener, to taste.

Serving size is 1/4 a cup
Makes 10 servings

Calories: 32
Fat: 0.6g
Sodium: 334.8mg
Carbs: 5.7g
Fiber: 1.2g
Protein: 1.6g
(Nutritional Values based on adding turkey bacon, will change if liquid smoke is used or if pork bacon is used)