Save vs. Splurge: Fancy Ketchups

Except for a handful of gourmet varieties, all ketchups start with some form of tomato -- either paste, puree or concentrate, although some gourmet brands use whole tomatoes. For that characteristic sweet-tart balance, everyday ketchups use corn syrup and vinegar. Gourmet brands are more varied, using sugar, honey or maple syrup, and sometimes red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Some specialty blends add heat with horseradish, chile peppers or curry spices. Salt, pepper, onion and garlic are common seasonings, too.

Nutritionally, gourmet and regular ketchups are pretty similar. Most have 15 to 20 calories per tablespoon, and no fat. Carbohydrates and sodium are minimal. The tomato itself provides a little vitamin A. Whole tomato ketchups have the highest amounts of lycopene, a phytochemical thought to help protect against cancer.

Prices, on the other hand, vary widely, depending on the brand, shopping venue and whether the ketchup is organic. Boutique bottlers that sell online tend to be the most expensive, but even a "budget" gourmet ketchup will run two to three times more than popular brands you'll find at the grocery store.

If you're a condiment connoisseur, the variety of unusual blends will probably make some gourmet ketchups worth the price. If your tastes are more middle-of-the-road, you might want to splurge on special occasions.

For example, when you're going all out on elegance, don't skimp on the condiments, especially if they complement a main dish. Grilled prawns deserve fancier company than run-of-the-mill cocktail sauce.

Also, a high-brow condiment can be a quick, easy and unique way to elevate a lowly recipe and jazz up a tired one. A curry ketchup turns beans and rice into Mexican-Indian fusion cuisine. A cranberry ketchup takes chicken salad from school lunch to luncheon status. Stir in some orange chili ketchup, and your baked beans will be the talk of the potluck dinner.

Suppose you crave fancy ketchups on a more regular basis. You can still indulge your desire without breaking your budget.

To feed a connoisseur's taste on a smaller budget, consider making your own gourmet ketchups from store-bought brands. Start with one cup of plain ketchup and a few basic recipes. Experiment with ingredients and amounts to find the perfect blend.

If you're an inventive home chef, you might go a step further and make your own ketchup from scratch. A simple recipe looks something like this:

Mix well and store in the refrigerator.

You can customize homemade ketchup, too. For a sweeter taste, add finely chopped or grated bell peppers or Vidalia onions. For something a bit hotter, add chile peppers or hot spices like ginger, cayenne pepper and allspice.

To bring out more complex flavors, make cooked ketchup. Start with whole tomatoes seeded and peeled, bring the mixture to a boil, and simmer for about 10 minutes. This can be refrigerated or processed in jars. If you're really impressed, write down the recipe. Someday, your ketchup could be the newest addition to the local gourmet shop or farmers market.