balsamic bbq sauce

Disclosure: I have partnered with Bumble Olive Oil Company for a series of posts featuring their products. I was provided the olive oil and vinegar to review and use for this recipe. All words and opinions are my own.

Father’s Day always stumps me – although for the life of me, I don’t know why. When it comes to my own dad, I know him very well, but for some reason, constantly get stuck when it comes to gift ideas.

I often find myself at a cross roads.  I have the safe options that, while a bit on the boring uninspired side, are guaranteed that he will like and use. These safe options include all of the following: books, coffee or an iTunes card. Uninspired, I know.

Which leads me to the more risky options. The things that I think he will like and use, but aren’t entirely sure. This category pretty much encompasses everything else. The risky category can be down right overwhelming.

Don’t misunderstand me. It’s not that my dad is dull or boring in anyway. In fact, he’s one of the most interesting people I know. He just happens to work long, hard hours and in the bits of free time that he has, he tends to unwind with a riveting book and a hot cup of (black) coffee. And now seeing this description typed out on my computer screen, I realize that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree – if say, that apple fell with her own little stash of French Vanilla Creamer and cheesy romance novel.

And the stumping doesn’t stop at my dad. When it comes to my husband (who I arguably know better than anyone else in the world) I am equally as stuck. You see, he is very into gadgets and electronics (computers, cameras, video games, etc) and he is very particular. Or rather discerning. He has good taste and he knows what he likes.

So, while I know my way around bits of computers and the like, our use of computers and gadgets is very different. What might work for my needs, won’t necessarily jive with what he has planned.  So gift giving occasions usually have me hinting around at what he’s interested in, attempting to choose the gift on my own, but in the end saying, “I know you wanted that new headset, so….if you find the one you like, you know,  just go ahead and buy it. Haaaappy Faaaather’s Day!”

I’m the worst. Seriously. It boils down to the fact that I just want him to have the shirt/headset/camping gear/power tool he would truly enjoy. Is that so wrong? Maybe I just need to hone my reconnaissance skills. Hunt and gather information like a ninja in order to buy the most perfect gifts. Although, if I’m going to be a ninja, I definitely need a new outfit.

Anyway.

So what does all this talk of lack-luster gift giving have to do with tangy, mouthwatering Balsamic BBQ sauce? It’s a Father’s Day cliche, I realize, but grilling is something that both my husband and my dad both enjoy doing. Are they pit masters who attend meat smoking competitions wearing matching ‘I Love Pig Butts’ t-shirts? No. Although I may have just solved my dilemma of what to get them both for Father’s Day.

So while they won’t be rocking those shirts anytime soon (or will they…?) they are two men who enjoy grilling and are often whipping up some sort of smokey deliciousness – some of which is bacon wrapped.

So, in honor of my husband, my dad and my father-in-law (as well as my brothers, brothers-in-law and really all the awesome dads out there) I wanted to create a tangy, vinegary and powerful BBQ sauce that is anything but lackluster.

When it comes to BBQ sauce, I know what I like: strong, vinegary with a touch of sweetness and a whole lot of sass. That’s right, I’m making some seriously sassy (and saucy) BBQ sauce. And while this sauce is not spicy, it is a mouthful of awesome.

Awesomesauce, even.

To create this sauce, I used my favorite balsamic vinegar from Bumble Olive Oil Company – and in this case, I chose to use the Red Apple Balsamic Vinegar for a touch of sweetness. A bit of Bumble’s Chipotle Olive Oil adds just a splash of spice.

This is hands down my new favorite BBQ sauce. The rich balsamic vinegar is strong, but sweet. It gets you right in the jaw and your taste buds explode. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. The sauce is smooth, silky and just thin enough that it can be brushed over ribs, chicken or even shrimp to caramelize into the best glazed BBQ you’ve ever made.

On my to-do list is a big batch of pulled pork tossed with this dark, rich Balsamic BBQ sauce. I have a feeling it will not disappoint.

Trust me, this sauce is anything but lack luster. In fact, it’s quite luster-ful.

Enjoy!