Hot Times....Hot Sauce

As you continue in your cooking journey, you will every once in awhile come across what I call a "game changer". That one little ingredient, taste, tool, or product which you sit and wonder how you ever lived without it. Like the first time you really started using balsamic vinegar. What you don't use balsamic vin???....OK we'll cover that another day. But back to the game changer that is today's subject (and yes there will be more to come).

I'm a heat guy. I LOVE spicy food at all levels. From the delicate little "Oh my, what was that?" to the volcanic, "Holy Mother of...What the F was that?"...as tears pour down my face...I love them all. And I REALLY have a thing for hot sauces. Now before you start a hot sauce debate, be very careful. This is one of those topics that goes up there with Politics and Religion. You have to be really careful who you start it in front of. And let's be frank, there are a LOT of great hot sauces out there, from Tabasco to Cholula to Sriracha...ALL GREAT. But for me there is a hot sauce that holds a special place in my heart. It's call Batch #37: This is a garlic infused habañero hot sauce and it is a SERIOUSLY hot sauce, to be eaten with caution! But that doesn't mean you should fear it either. Respect the heat and you will enjoy it's favors. There are many wonderful ways to enjoy this and the amount you use will also change that enjoyment. The garlic gives such a wonderful depth to the sauce without taking it over (though it's hard to dominate the taste of a habañero ) you may just find yourself going back for more and more. It's quite addictive.....

NOW, if you're a newbie, you ease into a toothpick taste (just so you can understand the true taste). Or if you're a vet like me, you can eat this right on a tortilla chip. But below is a list of all the wonderful things you can add it too....oh and as you know...NEVER be afraid to test things on your own....and...of course...have fun with it.

Add it to:

Salsa
Chili
Guacamole
Scrambled Eggs
Steak Sauce
Hummus (just a touch changes the whole experience....definitely do this one!)
Blend it into your burger mix (yeah I said it)
Straight up on a tortilla chip
OR...my favorite...on your Turkey Tacos!


WINE NOTE: Um no....I don't think that many a wine could stand up to this on it's own....though I have done it...go with a really REALLY cold beer. Maybe even more than one beer.

Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC