Happy Days Cove BBQ Sauce

Happy Days Cove is a house on the north shore of Lake Travis, TX, where my husband spent many summers and weekends.  It's a beautiful home and my husband has fond memories of exploring the woods, skiing in the lake, sleeping in one room with his siblings, and family dinners.  My family now has the pleasure of visiting Happy Days Cove as often as we want/can; it's only a 45 minute drive from our house.  The memories our son creates there will be different from his dad's, the community has more homes and fewer woods, the lake is too low to launch the boat, and the bunk beds have been replaced by a home office.  Owen will remember riding his bike to the park, looking at the moon with his grandparents, sleeping in the back bedroom, and the family dinners.  We have smoked pork tenderloin with Happy Days Cove BBQ Sauce.  Today, I'm going to share with you all my father-in-law's wonderfully simple and delicious Happy Days Cove BBQ Sauce recipe (adapted to meet the dietary preferences of our family).

1 medium red onion, coarsely chopped
2 Tbs olive oil
3 Tbs ground black pepper
2 Tbs chili powder
3/4 C organic Coconut Palm Sugar
1/2 C Bragg Liquid Aminos
40 oz bottle of ketchup (we use organic ketchup with few ingredients) - save the bottle
40 oz water

In a five-quart Dutch oven, sauté the onions and olive oil over medium heat until plump.  Add ketchup, black pepper, olive oil, chili powder, and sugar and mix thoroughly.  Add the water and mix thoroughly.  Add the Liquid Aminos and, again, mix thoroughly.  Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 45 minutes.

You can adjust the pepper and chili powder to your heat and taste preference.  We make this in large batches and can it using a water bath (even if you don't have a pressure canner).

Get out with your grill, this wonderful BBQ sauce, and make some memories!

Mmmmm....