Carolina Barbecue Sauce

Combine the honey, molasses, garlic, cumin, coriander, peppercorns, chiles, and bay leaves in a large stockpot over medium-low heat. Cook for 30 min., stirring occasionally. The garlic will darken, and the mixture will be very thick and fragrant. Add the tomato paste and tomatoes and cook for 15 min., stirring frequently to break up tomatoes. Stir in the vinegar, water, and salt. The sauce should be thin. Simmer the sauce, uncovered, for at least 2 hours and as long as 4 hours, stirring occasionally.

Set aside half the sauce (or more, if necessary) for marinating the pork. Let the remaining sauce cool; fish out any large pieces of garlic peel. Puree the sauce in a blender or food processor; some spices will still remain whole. The sauce should be rather watery and look similar to a brothy tomato soup.