How to Make Homemade Ketchup

Learning how to make homemade ketchup sounds impossible and complicated, but it's not. The secret is the availability of the many tomato products you can get at any local grocery store. You can do so much when making your own ketchup, such as using fresh ingredients and using less sugar and sodium than store bought ketchup. You can even custom make special homemade ketchups for different uses in your home, such as one for hot dogs that may include relish and onions, or one for french fries that has a garlic flavor by adding fresh garlic. Here's a great recipe for homemade ketchup; the rest is up to you!

To make homemade ketchup, you'll need:

• 10 pounds ripe tomato
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 4 large onions, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups cider vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tsp. peppercorns
• 1 tsp. whole allspice
• 1 tsp. whole cloves
• 5 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp. celery seed
• 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne
• 4 tbsp. brown sugar, packed firm
• 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. salt

1. Place the tomatoes and bell pepper into a blender or food processor. Process until pureed and put through a sieve or colander to strain. Do the same to the onion and add it to the tomato mixture.
2. Cook the mixture. Cook until it has reduced by a third and thickened.
3. In a separate pot, combine the vinegar, garlic, peppercorns, allspice, cloves, cinnamon and celery seed. Simmer for 30 minutes to combine the flavors. Put through a strainer.
4. Add about half to the tomato mixture. Mix well, then add the last five ingredients and taste. Add more of the vinegar mixture if needed. Your homemade ketchup is now complete!