Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Thoughts on Condiments...

Catsup
by Jim Gaffigan...

Catsup

If dog is man’s best friend, then Catsup is definitely food's best friend. Catsup is always there to help out or improve something you are eating. “These fries need catsup” or “I’m having Mac and Cheese for the 4th day in a row – this time I’ll add catsup and pretend it’s Marinara sauce”. You know what I mean.

Sadly, it seems we only realize how important catsup is when you don’t have it. We’ve all had the moment when we discover we have more fries than catsup? It ain’t fun brother. What if there never was Catsup? I know it’s scary thought. What if there was no tomato. That’s even scarier. No tomatoes means no catsup, probably no Italy. Who knows, maybe no Carla Gugino.

When was the last time you held a catsup bottle in your hands and said “Thank you catsup”? A while? Maybe it’s time you gave some props to the king of all condiments.

-Taken from his Myspace bulletin.

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You can always make your own catsup. Why make your own? There are 120 calories in a half cup...let's face it... who uses 2 Tbs really?? It also contains high fructose corn syrup. The devil.

Since I do miss catsup, I have been using the following recipe I just sort of made up one day. I like spelling it "ketchup" though, and I enjoy said ketchup on top of butternut squash "fries" I bake.

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Ketchup:
by cakegrrl

2 Tbs of tomato paste
1/4 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1 packet of splenda
Garlic Powder to taste
Onion Powder to taste
Sea Salt

Combine all ingredients in a mini food processor. Add a little water if you need thin it out.
Makes a little over a 1/2 cup. Only 65 calories in the entire recipe.

*You can add any other spices you like for nominal calories. I like things like cumin or curry, I have even made saffron ketchup (by grinding the saffron with the splenda and a little water in a mortar and pestle and then microwaving the mixture for thirty seconds.) Then adding the saffron to the tomato mixture.

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Other condiment substitutions lately...
Had salsa on top of shrimp cocktail at a party instead of cocktail sauce, which again, contains HFCS. It was a lovely swap-out...

3 comments:

beckyjsacto said...

Man, what doesn't have HFCS?!

Kim R. said...

You know I haaaaate ketchup, but I love yours. ;)

cakegrrl2007 said...

Yes, I will have to come up with a "Mock Mayo" soon... even though I dislike mayo... :)