The Practical Pantry

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

BBQ Beef Sandwiches

Gas and charcoal grills might be put away for the winter, but barbecue sauce never goes out of season. While you might not be able to bring the grill indoors, you can bring barbecue flavor to meat cooked indoors by swapping the quick-cooking grill for a slow-cooking oven or stovetop.

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BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup diced celery

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 cup salsa, mild or medium

1/2 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons lightly packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 cups shredded cooked chicken

6 hamburger buns, split and toasted

Melt butter in a saucepan; add onion, celery, and garlic and sauté until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the salsa, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add chicken; stir to coat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until heated through, about 15 minutes. Divide mixture evenly between buns. Makes 6 servings.

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BBQ Beef Sandwiches

4 pounds boneless chuck roast

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 onion, chopped

3 tablespoons white vinegar

1 12-ounce jar chili sauce, such as Heinz

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons lightly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon mustard powder

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, optional

Hamburger buns, split and toasted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place roast in a large covered pan; cook until the meat falls apart and shreds easily, about 2 hours. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions; sauté until onions become translucent. Stir in vinegar and chili sauce. Fill empty chili sauce bottle with water, shake, and pour liquid into skillet. Mix in garlic, brown sugar, mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and salt; add cayenne pepper if desired. Cook sauce over low heat, stirring often, until thickened. Shred beef using two forks. Stir meat into the sauce in the skillet; simmer until heated through, about 30 minutes. Makes 16 servings.

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Pantry Pointers

For a summer taste in the middle of winter, serve traditional barbecue side dishes. Potato salad, coleslaw, pasta salad, baked beans, and cornbread are good choices that have the benefit of being able to be prepared ahead of time. For additional ambiance, use checkered tablecloths and serve lemonade or iced tea.

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