Homemade Ketchup: A Simple and Tasty Recipe

Homemade ketchup is a delicious and versatile condiment that goes well with a variety of dishes. It is more natural than store-bought versions, allowing you to control the ingredients and flavors, and customize it to your taste. This easy-to-make recipe uses common kitchen ingredients and delivers a homemade ketchup with a perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess, and spice.

Ingredients:

• 75 cl of tomato purée: Use a high-quality tomato purée, preferably without preservatives or additives.
• 1 teaspoon paprika: Paprika adds a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to the ketchup.
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce: This ingredient provides an umami depth to the ketchup with a spicy and vinegary kick.
• 2 tablespoons vinegar: For the acidity that balances the sweetness and richness of the sauce.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Cinnamon enriches the flavor with a subtle spicy warmth.
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch: To thicken the sauce and achieve the perfect consistency.
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar: Brown sugar is softer than white sugar and adds a caramel-like sweetness.
• 1 teaspoon salt: Essential to enhance all the flavors.
• 1 tablespoon honey: Honey adds sweetness and helps smooth out the flavor.

Preparation:

1. Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients, making sure the paprika, cinnamon, and cornstarch are evenly distributed in the tomato purée.

2. Cook the mixture: Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and cook over low heat. Stir regularly to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom. Cook for about 20 to 30 minutes, until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth. The longer you let it reduce, the thicker it will become.

3. Season to taste: Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, taste it and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt, honey, or vinegar if needed. If you prefer a sweeter ketchup, you can add more brown sugar or honey.

4. Cool down: Let the sauce cool to room temperature before storing it in a jar or bottle. You can refrigerate it, where it will keep for about a week.

Origin of Ketchup

Ketchup, as we know it today, is a staple of American cuisine, but its origins are much older and come from Southeast Asia. The original ketchup was a fermented fish sauce, made with fish like salmon or herring, and was consumed primarily in China and Indonesia under the name "kecap" (pronounced "ketchup"). This sauce was used as a condiment to enhance dishes.

Later, ketchup was introduced to Europe and then to the United States, where it evolved into the sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce we are familiar with today. Over the centuries, recipes were adapted and commercialized, especially starting in the 19th century when tomatoes became the main ingredient.

Today, ketchup is an essential product in homes and restaurants worldwide, commonly paired with fries, burgers, hot dogs, or even roasted meats.

With this homemade recipe, you can enjoy the authentic, natural flavor of ketchup and have the flexibility to adjust it to your personal taste.