Day 5: Blueberry BBQ sauce

Must make blueberry jam.  Must make blueberry jam.  I feel a bit like the, "It's time to make the donuts" guy right about now.  Wake up. Make jam. Clean up. Go to bed. Repeat. God I could use a glass of blueberry wine.  Hmm, that might be an idea for next year.

I have plenty of plain blueberry jam in the closet, so now I get to be a little more creative.  I like infusing the jam with different herbs.  Rosemary is my personal favorite.  I was quite pleased with last year's onion jam and while the husband turned up his nose at my Umami jam (fish sauce, anchovies, lemongrass) I liked it.

Today I am inspired to make some Blueberry BBQ sauce to go with the lovely steak our neighbor gave us.  You may not be able to get a decent bagel or a nice piece of salmon up here, but top notch grass fed beef is plentiful.

Here is what you will need:

8C washed blueberries
1C sugar
1C molasses
1/2C apple cider vinegar
1 tin anchovy filets
1/4C capers
1/4C fish sauce
1/4C worcestershire sauce
4 cloves garlic
1T ancho chili powder
1T tumeric
1Dried chili for each jar (optional)
Food Processor or Blender
heavy bottomed saucepan
large pot for canning
4 clean 1pt canning jars and lids

Fill large pot with enough water to cover canning jars by 1-2 inches.  Let water come to a boil while you prepare the bbq sauce.

Add all ingredients except dried chili to food processor.  Pulse six or seven times.  Depending on the size of your processor, you may need to chop the berry mixture in two batches.

Transfer mixture to heavy bottomed saucepan  and bring to a boil.  At this point have a taste and adjust if needed.  I tend to be more comfortable with savory berry concoctions so I tweak as I go along.

Pour mixture into clean canning jars. Leave a little room at top. Add a dried chili if need a little more heat. Place lids on jars and screw on rings, but not too tight.

Gently place jars into the boiling water using jar lifting tool thingy. cover pot and boil for 20 minutes.

Remove jars from pot and let cool. You will start to hear popping sounds as the lids seal. When jars have cooled, press down on lid.  If there is any wiggle room, you will need to reprocess in the boiling water bath.

Brush some of this on your steak, ribs or chicken five to ten minutes before you are done grilling.

Enjoy!