Quick Ketchup Substitute

August 7, 2014: As I prepared to make sloppy Joes for supper, I saw the recipe called for a cup of ketchup. I don't keep ketchup in my kitchen, for no real reason other than that when I learned how to cook, I had a girlfriend who abhorred the use of ketchup in cooking. So, for tonight, I put together a ketchup substitute that was satisfying enough to write down:

• 1 6-ounce can of tomato paste
• 8 ounces diced tomatoes (drain the water from the can first)
• 2 tablespoons vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar, though white vinegar would work)
• a dash (1/4 teaspoon) minced onion or onion powder
• a dash (1/4 teaspoon) garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• a dash (1/4 teaspoon or less) celery salt
• a dash (1/4 teaspoon) dry ground mustard
• a dash (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon) ground black pepper
• a dash (1/4 teaspoon) ground cloves

Mix and mash it all together in a bowl. This produces about a cup of ketchup substitute.