Honey Chipotle BBQ Sauce

A few summers ago we went to one of my stepson's house for dinner.  We had a cookout (which we do most nights during the summer), and of course it was fabulous as usual (my stepson happens to be a great cook).  However, one thing that stood out to me this particular night was the amazing bbq sauce he used on the chicken.  It was really good, and I was shocked to learn it was our local supermarkets generic brand of honey chipotle bbq sauce.  It was delicious and I bought it whenever I needed bbq sauce after that.  Then one day, to my dismay, they didn't have it.  I thought it was a fluke and that they were just out of it.  The next time, and MANY more times after that, I looked for it and it wasn't there.  Apparently  they stopped making it, and it was then that I vowed to myself to try and make my own.

This is as close as I've come so far to that fabulous sauce.  It's thick, sweet, spicy and downright delicious!  I'm not necessarily saying that I've reached the end of my quest - there's always room for improvement.....at least until you reach perfection.  We've used it on chicken, venison and pork, but obviously it would be good on anything that you use bbq sauce for.  We use our grill all year (unless there's a foot of snow), but I still can't wait for summer......

 
Honey Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Olive Oil
1 cup onion, diced
2 large cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
3/4 cup ketsup
1 tbsp molasses 
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, seeds removed & diced (can leave the seeds in if you like it REALLY spicy)
1 tsp dry mustard
1tsp chipotle chili pepper powder
1 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt & Pepper to taste

Coat the bottom of a small sauce pan with olive oil and heat on medium-low.  Add the onion and garlic and saute for 10 minutes, or until onions are translucent.  Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.  Simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Use an immersion blender to puree mixture until smooth, or don't bother if you don't mind it a little chunky.