Tonight’s dinner is brought to you by Cooking Light Magazine. I had dropped my subscription to the magazine several years ago because they had – in my not so humble opinion – become more of a woman’s magazine with a few recipes. Their recipes had become too focused on fat and not focused on overall food and nutrition – or cooking and flavor. There were too many microwave and prepared food dishes. I definitely wasn’t their demographic any longer.

And then, one day, it all changed.

Back were recipes that were worth cooking along with less makeup tips. I started up another subscription and I’m rather glad I did. I’m finding fun recipes in each issue with more relevant cooking ideas. The latest issue is a case in point – it had cherries.

I’m a cherry fan from way back. I even have a cherry pitter. Back when we lived in San Leandro, I entered the Cherry Pie Contest at their Cherry Festival and won 2nd Place in the non-traditional cherry pie category! It’s the only pie contest I have ever entered and have to admit that the pie was pretty damned good. I think one of these days I’m going to have to make another one…

In the meantime, Cherry Bourbon BBQ Sauce. The magazine did it on chicken legs. I did it on beef brochettes. I think you could do it on anything and it would be excellent!

Cherry Bourbon BBQ Sauce

adapted from Cooking Light Magazine

  • 1 1/2 cups cherry juice
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp dry mustard
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Place cherry juice in saucepan. Bring to boil and reduce to 1 cup.

Stir in remaining ingredients. Reduce heat and cook until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Cool.

It really came out good. My one thought was that I didn’t taste any bourbon. Victor thought it could have been a bit hotter. But both of us thought it was really good, regardless.

It made a pint of sauce and I only used a bit for the beef, so into the ‘fridge it has gone for another meal, another day…

It’s worth the few minutes it takes to put it together!