An easy homemade barbecue sauce makes anything you grill taste even better! Makes lots since it keeps for weeks in the refrigerator.

　　

Ingredients

Makes about 3 cups to sauce 5 pounds of chicken, ribs, steak, or burgers

　　2 tablespoons vegetable oil

　　1 medium onion, finely chopped

　　1 celery rib, finely chopped

　　2 teaspoons anise seeds, lightly crushed with a rolling pin

　　1 teaspoon celery seeds

　　1 tablespoon dry mustard

　　1 cup ketchup

　　1 cup bottled chili sauce

　　1/4 cup apple cider or apple juice

　　3 tablespoons cider vinegar

　　2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

　　2 tablespoons honey

　　

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, heat the oil and cook the onion and celery over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the anise seeds and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the celery seeds and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Stir in the mustard until dissolved, then stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until lightly thickened, 15 to 20 minutes.

　　

Step 2

The sauce can be made up to a month ahead and refrigerated. Return to room temperature before brushing on during last 20 minutes of grilling.

　　Mothers' Little Helpers