Wednesday, June 24, 2009

An Old Family Favorite

Way back when, N's mom knew one of the people who co-owned the Sizzler franchise in the NW Oregon and SW Washington area. Coincidentally, it was during the same time period that I happened to be working at a Sizzler in Washington--my first job.
My manager, Henry, was the kind of people person who turned customers into regulars and made the young employees look forward to coming into work. We all loved Henry, even if his superiors didn't like his generous style. Last I heard (back in the late 70s), he had put his resources together with a friend, quit Siz and opened a little joint somewhere in Portland. I hope it all worked as he hoped it would.
During that same time period, that particular Sizzler franchise, put beef ribs on the menu. I can remember Henry hunched over and stirring the simmering pot, with a menacing laugh he said, "ever wonder what happened to those employees who never returned??" What a hoot he was!
It was much later when I discovered that N's mom was in on the development of the barbecue sauce those ribs were simmering in. It's been a favorite at our house for the past 30+ years.

Mom's BBQ Sauce

2 cups catsup
1/2 cup Heinz 57 sauce
1/4 cup A-1 Sauce
2 Tbsp Wright's Smoke Sauce
4 tsp Garlic Juice (Roth's has it)
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup dark brown sugar

Mix ingredients together and keep in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator. It should keep for a month or more.

4 comments:

Shirley said...

Yum! We'll have to try that-Dan's always on the quest for a better barbeque sauce! Thanks.

KandN said...

I forgot to add that it should be simple to add some heat to this recipe, if that's your preference.
You're welcome, Shirley!

Rebekah said...

I've been messing with bbq sauce recipes lately, but I've never seen one with A-1 in it. I'll have to try it!

KandN said...

I can remember the first time Norm showed me his mom's recipe. I didn't like A-1, I didn't care for Heinz 57, and I hated smoke sauce. Why o why would I make BBQ sauce with those ingredients?! On New Years Eve (before children), we used to cook up a side of baby back ribs in the sauce. Then we'd put the plate of ribs between us and watch movies. What a delicious mess!