Texas Sauce

Excellent for beef, pork or chicken, this sauce is better the day after it is made. Store in refrigerator.

1/2 cup butter
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup finely chopped celery
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 cup canned tomato puree
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 cup chicken or beef broth
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder
Salt, to taste

In large non-aluminum saucepan, melt butter over medium-low and saut onion, celery and garlic until soft (about 10 minutes).

Add tomato puree, vinegar, brown sugar, broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin, chili powder and salt. Simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring frequently so that sauce doesn't burn.

Let sauce rest at least 1 hour to allow flavors to blend.

Yields 4 cups.