URGENT UPDATE-PUNXATAWNEY PHIL DID NOT SEE HIS SHADOW.  EARLY SPRING, BITCHES.

Is Groundhog Day a holiday?  I hope so because it’s my sixth favourite, just behind
Valentine’s Day.  There’s not a whole lot to do on Groundhog Day, outside of watch“Groundhog Day,” and decide that, just for today, you’ll allow yourself to have those pesky Andie MacDowell fantasies.

As a child, the whole groundhog thing was a very big deal to me.  I remember getting super pissed off when Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow in 1984.  Tears were shed, and I slammed my fist on my thigh the way men in films about the Vietnam war reacted to a buddy getting studded by sniper fire.  But somehow my temperament regarding this particular holiday has mellowed over the years.  Perhaps it’s living in a more temperate climate…I really don’t know.  It is a relief, however, to finally not have to rely on a rodent soothsayer.

Don’t misunderstand me, I still have heart for the holiday, but without the debilitating emotional and meteorological attachment.  Visiting Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on Groundhog Day would be a dream come true.  I’d also like to go to the Westminster Dog Show dressed like Sharon Stone from “Casino,” but first things first.

Groundhog Day Barbecue Sauce

It should come as a relief that this is not a barbecue sauce to put on a groundhog, or a sauce that contains groundhog.  It earned the name by being a groundhog-esque experience getting it right.  I tried subtle variations of the recipe many times.  At first too spicy, then too much vinegar, not enough sweetness…you get the point.

I won’t say the recipe that follows is perfection.  You’ll have to try it, and alter it to your tastes.  I would like mine sweeter, but I’m trying to keep the sugar at bay.  So, feel free to add a few more dates.  But overall, this is not too shabby.

Freeze half and use the rest as the mood strikes.  I like to brush it on my okonomiyaki.

BBQ SAUCE

• 1 medium onion cut into 8 pieces
• 1/2 cup plus 2 TBS white wine vinegar
• 6-8 dates
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 TBS coconut aminos
• 1.5 TBS all-natural liquid smoke
• 2 large cloves garlic
• 2 tsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp mild chilli powder
• 1.5 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper

****Add more chilli powder or cayenne as you see fit, but be careful.  I almost blew out my O-ring on the first batch.

1. Combine and blend in your Vitamix or other high speed blender until nice and smooth.
2. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, taste, and adjust your seasonings.
3. Be a winner and try to make every single day count.