Pork Marindade - BBQ sauce

1/2 c. coconut aminos

1 dried date (weird, but it adds sweetness)

3 cloves garlic, chopped (about 1.5 TBSP)

1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce (I steam 1 sliced apple til soft)

1 tsp. rice vinegar

1 TBSP sunflower or almond butter

4 tsp. sesame oil

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (omit if you are complicated)

1 1/2 tsp. powdered ginger

1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder (equal parts cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and two other things I can't remember.  Fred Meyer doesn't carry it pre-mixed, but I think Tacoma Boys does... and you can find a billion recipes online)

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

Process or blend until combined (my date is always chunky).  Put your pork and 1/2 the marinade in a gallon bag and refrigerate, 30 min - several hours.

Turn 1/2 cup of the marinade into BBQ sauce by adding 1/4 cup of tomato paste, 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce and 1/2 TBSP rice vinegar and warm on the stove top.

~Randi