Expert: Jana Turner - 3/19/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi
I was following a recipe for tomato sauce (using fresh toms) and despite my apprehension , i followed the recipe amounts for adding smoked paprika ~(several tablespoons). It must have meant teaspoons because the paprika was overpowering. I tried to thin it out by adding 3 canned chopped toms but didn't change it much. I threw it in the freezer in disgust. Do you think i can get do anything to use this sauce or should i just throw it away? Many thanks for your help.

ANSWER: Hi Jo,

  It sounds like you can save the sauce, just turn it into something else! Defrost what you have, add minced onion, garlic, chili powder (to taste)and puree. Heat on low and add dark molasses 1/4 cup at a time until the sauce is as sweet as your favorite BBQ sauce from the store. You may even want to add your own touches such as hickory smoke flavoring. I think it sounds like it would be great on grilled chicken!
  Or, make it into a soup base for Minestrone, Three Bean or Beef Veggie.
  The trick here is to not try to cover up that much Paprika taste but to make it work in your favor. Whatever you end up doing, make sure to write it down as you go, you may have just invented Jo's Grilled Smokey Paprika Riblets and all your friends will want the recipe!

Have a Great day!
Jana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jana
The BBQ sauce sounds like a fab idea and am very keen to do. However am UK and molasses is not a commonly known ingredient. I found molasses sugar yesterday in the supermarket and wondered if thats what i need or do i need molasses in something like the form of the maple syrup. Or maybe it doesn't matter?
thanks again for your help
Jo

Answer
Hi again Jo,

  If you can't find liquid molasses you can still make the sauce using brown sugar to sweeten it. Just temper the sweetness with red wine vinegar. Add a bit at a time until it suits your taste. I don't know how much of the tomato/paprika mixture you have on hand, so I can't really judge measurements for you. Just use your common sense and creativity. Cooking should be fun...so have fun!
Jana