[Ruthxxx]

This was posted by a woman on my garden Forum. She's a great cook but I've not tried this yet. Be sure to see her notes.

Sugar Free BBQ sauce (sweetened w/Diet Coke)

2 strips of thick bacon, cooked and chopped fine
1 small onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced or 1/4 t. garlic powder
1 small can tomato paste (I used 2 )
1 12 oz can Diet Soda (Splenda sweetened preferred)
1/4 C low carb (sugar free) catsup (check note at bottom)
3T mustard
1T Worcestershire sauce
pinch of ground cloves
hot sauce to taste (I substituted a dash of liquid smoke)
Simmer it down to less than half the original volume.
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Notes: If low carb catsup isn't available you can substitute a T. of vinegar and some sweetener (I used 2 small cans of tomato paste instead of the low carb catsup)

If you prefer to leave out the bacon, substitute a bit of liquid smoke.

They say a soft drink sweetened with Spenda is preferable, as aspartame tends to lose it's sweetness when heated for long periods

I was looking for a BBQ sauce to use with pulled pork for sandwiches to take to the field. This recipe doesn't have the consistency of 'real' BBQ sauce when it's used in cooking, but it's a reasonable flavoring substitute.

I've left the bacon out, as I was doubling the recipe with intentions of using it more like catsup.

It's passed the "Terry Test".

Terry is her DH. Turkey bacon or Canadian bacon would work if you want BBQ sauce.