Southwestern Turkey Bake

Here's another easy & tasty way to use some leftover Thanksgiving turkey. This recipe makes 6 servings.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups cooked white rice
1 small can green chilies (your choice of mild or hot), drained & chopped
3 cups cubed cooked turkey
1 12-oz can of Mexican-style corn (corn kernels with diced peppers)
1 cup Pepper Dog Salsa, your choice of Mild, Medium, Hot or Salsa Verde
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Optional: Sour cream as garnish

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 12 x 7 1/2 x 2 baking dish. Set aside 1 tablespoon of the chopped green chilies to use as a garnish. In a large bowl mix together the remaining chilies, cooked rice, turkey, corn, and salsa. If the mixture seems too dry, add a bit more salsa. Spoon the mixture into the baking dish and sprinkle top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until hot and the cheese has melted, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and spoon some sour cream down the center if desired. Sprinkle with reserved chopped chilies, and serve with a tossed green salad on the side (to complement the flavors in this recipe, I like to garnish my salad with avocado slices and dress it with a homemade olive oil & lime juice vinaigrette).

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Baked Turkey Hash with Castle Sauce

I came up with this recipe today to use up some of our leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups coarsely ground leftover turkey (I used our food processor, "pulsing" the blades to get a coarse grind)
1 medium potato, cooked & cut into cubes (leave the skin on for richer flavor)
1 1/2 tsp Castle Sauce
1/4 cup chopped onion (I used a Texas Sweet onion)
1/4 tsp rubbed sage
1 Tbs dried parsley (or 1/4 cup finely minced fresh parsley)
1 6-oz can evaporated skim milk
1/4 cup coarsley crushed Ritz crackers (you can substitute saltines - if so, increase the butter to 1 Tbs)
1/2 Tbs melted butter or margarine (increase to 1 Tbs if using saltine crackers)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a one-quart casserole dish. In a large bowl stir together all ingredients EXCEPT for the crackers and melted butter, then spoon into the casserole dish. In a small bowl toss together the crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle the cracker-butter mixture over the casserole, then bake the casserole at 350 degrees until heated through, about half an hour. Serve with a tossed green salad. Makes 4 servings.

**Note: If you enjoy hot & spicy foods, you can spice up this turkey hash by adding a few dashes of a high-quality straightforward hot sauce like Blue's Habanero Reserve Hot Sauce or Busha Browne's Pukka Hot Pepper Sauce when mixing up the ingredients. Or, you can serve the cooked hash with a spoonful of Bubba's Special Sauce on top.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Black Friday Sale & Specials!

Avoid the mall crowds and save money when you shop at the Carolina Sauce Company this Friday, Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving! We have sauces, condiments and spice blends for every taste and palate, all at bargain prices, and here's how you can take advantage of our Post-Thanksgiving Sale:

***Order at least $40 in products from Carolina Sauce now through Sunday, November 30th, and we'll give you 10% off the product total when you use the coupon code "Blog1108" (without the apostrophes). Simply enter the coupon online in the "coupon code" section of the billing page.***

To help you get started, we recommend our themed Gift Sets such as our Hunter's Gift Set, our fiery NC Hot & Spicy Gift Set, our elegant NC Gourmet Deluxe Gift Set, or one of our NC BBQ Sauce Gift Sets in mild or hot. For folks with dietary restrictions we offer Low Carb & No Carb products, plus Low Sodium & No Sodium Products, and a growing selection of Kosher Products, too! We also have a huge selection of BBQ Sauces from all over the US, Hot Sauce from all over the world, and a comprehensive selection of North Carolina Products, from mild to wild. Still can't decide? Then send an electronic Gift Certificate, with no expiration date!

Save even more with "On Sale" products! Lots of sauces & condiments are currently on sale, including Blair's Sudden Death Hot Sauce with the famous skull keychain, and many flavors of the Dave's Gourmet and Dave's Insanity Sauces; several different varieties of wing sauces and flavorful marinades; loads of barbecue sauce on sale from North Carolina and around the US, and special savings on Dry Rubs and Seasonings -- plus a new lower price on the world-famous Corky's Memphis BBQ Dry Rub! Simply look for the red sale prices, or the words "On Sale" when you shop at the Carolina Sauce Company online store. You can also search the Carolina Sauce Company store for the words "on sale" and that will show you a list of all the products currently on sale. But don't delay, as these special sale prices are good only while supplies last. And yes, you can get 10% off your order including special "on sale" items, so you save even more! Just remember to use the coupon code Blog1108 between now and November 30th to receive 10% off your order of $40 or more.

Want to save money in 2009, too? Then simply donate $5 or more to Operation Sauce Drop, our nonprofit effort to send free sauce to our troops, and we'll send you a coupon good for 10% off your next order (no minimum purchase required), good through the end of 2009! Just make sure you mention this Black Friday Special in the comment section of your donation so that we know to email the special coupon to you. The troops will really appreciate your support, as you can see from the Operation Sauce Drop feedback & photos we've received.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Reminder: Carolina Sauce Thanksgiving Schedule

Just a quick reminder that the Carolina Sauce Company is closing at 4 pm EST today (Wednesday November 26, 2008) and will be closed through Sunday, November 30th, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. You'll still be able to place online orders at the Carolina Sauce Company store, but orders will be filled once we reopen on Monday, December 1st. You can also leave us voicemail at 919-286-1080 or email us at salesATcarolinasauceDOTcom, and we'll reply once we reopen on Monday, December 1st.

Best wishes to all for a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce: Supply Problems

Newsflash: Our suppliers are having a hard time keeping Marie Sharp's Hot Sauces in stock lately, despite their best efforts to get more from the manufacturer in Belize. Apparently the company is having some difficulties that are causing shortages in most of the Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce flavors, much to the dismay of chiliheads. Here at the Carolina Sauce Company, we're doing our best to keep this popular Caribbean hot sauce in stock. If you have any questions about your Marie Sharp's order, please don't hesitate to contact us. Thanks for your patience and understanding, and let's keep our fingers crossed for Marie Sharp's to get everything straightened out really soon, especially with Christmas right around the corner!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Blue Tick Dressing

Newsflash: Rumor has it that the Carolina Swamp Stuff product line, including the delicious Blue Tick Dressing, was sold earlier this year to Harry and David. We haven't been able to independently confirm this rumor, and unfortunately we are currently unable to get any more Blue Tick Dressing as our distributor is completely out and no one at Harry & David seems to know what's going on. We are cautiously optimistic that this current state of uncertainty is merely temporary, while Harry & David (or whoever now owns the Blue Tick Dressing brand) sorts out the business side of things before resuming production of this popular North Carolina product. Rest assured that if and when we are able to get more of this tasty dressing and marinade for the Carolina Sauce Company online store, we will restock right away. In the meantime, we've started a waiting list of folks who want to be notified when we have more Blue Tick Dressing. If you'd like to be added to our Blue Tick waiting list, please email us at "salesATcarolinasauceDOTcom".

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Thanksgiving Corn Relish

This is an old family favorite that Greg and I enjoy on Thanksgiving, but it's so easy to make that you don't need to wait for a holiday to enjoy it. The recipe makes 1 cup of relish, and you can simply multiply it if you need more. The original recipe called for tabasco sauce, but I think it tastes better with any variety of Texas Pete Hot Sauce or Durn Good Hot Sauce. Plan ahead and make this corn relish several days before you plan on serving it, because the flavors get better if you can let it sit in the refrigerator for a few days.

Ingredients
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp celery seed
1/4 tsp mustard seed
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 tsp Texas Pete Hot Sauce, OR Durn Good Hot Sauce, OR Tabasco sauce
1 12oz can of whole kernel corn
2 Tbs chopped green pepper
1 Tbs chopped pimiento
1 Tbs minced onion

In a small saucepan, heat the sugar, salt, celery seed, mustard seed, vinegar and hot sauce to boiling. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining ingredients. Cool and refrigerate, preferably in a glass container, at least overnight and ideally for a few days before serving.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Carolina Sauce Thanksgiving Schedule

The Carolina Sauce Company will be closing at 4 pm EST on Wednesday, November 26th, and will remain closed for the Thanksgiving holiday through Sunday, November 30th. You'll still be able to order online during this time, and orders will resume shipping on Monday, December 1st (UPS will not pick up orders on Friday the 28th, although they may still deliver packages already in transit). If you need to contact us while we are closed, please feel free to leave a message at (919) 286-1080, or contact us via email (sales"AT"carolinasauce"DOT"com), and we will reply after we re-open on Monday, December 1st. I'll post a reminder about this schedule next week, either on Wednesday or Thursday. In the meantime, enjoy the season and have fun planning for your Thanksgiving feast - and don't forget to search this blog for tasty recipes, including timeless classics and revved-up twists on traditional Thanksgiving dishes!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Spiced Hot Crabmeat Appetizer

This is a peppery update on a low-country cheesy crabmeat dip. Serve it with a variety of crackers as one of your pre-Thanksgiving meal hors d'oeuvres or as a holiday party appetizer. You can prepare it ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake it, and remember to serve it hot.

Ingredients
1 cup milk
4 Tbs butter
4 Tbs flour
4 Tbs Busha Browne's Spicy Hot Pepper Sherry (for a less spicy dish, substitute dry sherry for 1 or 2 Tbs of the pepper sherry)
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Salt to taste
1 lb lump crabmeat, picked over

Melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour and cook until it starts to turn golden. Stir in the milk and continue to cook until the sauce thickens. Add the pepper sherry, half of the cheese, the crabmeat and salt to taste, and combine thoroughly. Pour into a buttered shallow glass casserole dish, and sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. If baking immediately after assembling the dish, then bake for 10 to 20 minutes until heated through and the cheese topping is melted. If baking after refrigerating, the baking time will be longer. Serve hot with crackers or crostini.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: Busha Browne's Spicy Hot Pepper Sherry is currently on sale at the Carolina Sauce Company!

Simple Spicy Creamy Spinach or Broccoli Casserole

I came up with this recipe earlier this week when I was craving comfort food with a peppery kick to help clear up my stuffy sinuses. My inspiration was one of Greg's mom's Thanksgiving side dishes, but I made it spicier and simpler since I was feeling under the weather. I used frozen spinach, but the original recipe calls for frozen broccoli which works just as well. You choose how hot you want it by selecting the heat level of the DEFCON Sauce (I used several drops of the ultra-hot DEFCON 1 Extreme Heat Wing Sauce), and by how much of the sauce to add. The DEFCON sauces are ideal for creamed vegetable recipes because of their rich cream base and straightforward cayenne pepper flavor and heat. As usual with my "spur of the moment" creations, the measurements are merely suggestions - just go with what looks right and tastes right, and have fun!

Ingredients
1 bag or 2 small boxes of frozen spinach or frozen chopped broccoli
1 can cream of mushroom soup (I use the reduced fat version)
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Several dashes (to taste) of your choice of DEFCON Wing Sauce (DEFCON 1 is the hottest and 3 is the mildest)
Opt: 1 cup pearl onions, drained

Place frozen spinach or broccoli in a microwave-safe casserole dish and cook in microwave according to package directions BUT stop cooking BEFORE it's thoroughly cooked. Remove from microwave and carefully drain most of the liquid from the undercooked spinach or broccoli. Stir in the remaining ingredients and microwave for a few minutes (about 2 or 3) until bubbly. Let cool a bit before digging in, so you don't burn your mouth!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Sa-Mokin' BBQ Glazed Chicken

This mouthwatering recipe comes to us from Patrick, the creator of the award-winning Sa-Mokin Competition Recipe Barbeque Sauce, which is currently on sale at the Carolina Sauce Company. Make it for your next tailgating party and you'll wow the crowd!

Ingredients
Chicken pieces
Sa-Mokin Competition Recipe Barbeque Sauce
Seasoned Salt (Patrick uses Lowery's brand)
Lemon Pepper (Patrick uses Tone’s brand)
Vegetable oil spray (Patrick uses Pam brand)

Prep the Chicken: Clean, trim and dry the chicken pieces. Spray both sides the chicken pieces with a good coat of vegetable oil spray. Lightly sprinkle both sides of the chicken with Seasoned Salt, then add a medium coat of lemon pepper to both sides.

Prep the Grill: The folks at Sa-Mokin normally cook the chicken on a Weber Kettle Grill using the half moon charcoal baskets on each side of the charcoal grate. If you don’t have charcoal baskets for your grill, then make a pile of charcoal briquets that have been started in a charcoal chimney on both sides of the charcoal grate. Add a nice size chunk of your favorite smoke wood to each pile of briquets. Patrick suggests hickory, cherry or apple woods for best results.

Cooking the Chicken: When the grill is up to temperature, about 325-350 degrees, place the chicken along the edge of both piles of charcoal, skin side up, so the chicken is close but not directly over the charcoal. Put the lid on or close the grill. After about 15 minutes, turn the chicken and place directly over the very edge of the charcoal with the skin side down. Watch closely until the skin is golden brown (this is usually about 10–15 minutes). Brush the top of the chicken (while skin side is still down) with a good coat of Sa-Mokin Competition Recipe Barbeque Sauce. Turn the chicken back over so that it is not directly over the charcoal again and cook for about another 15 minutes. Now brush the skin side of the chicken pieces with a good coat of Sa-Mokin Competition Recipe Barbeque Sauce and finish cooking until done. On dark meat pieces the internal temperature should be about 175-180 degrees and on white meat the internal temperature should be about 155-160 degrees. Remove the chicken from the grill and let rest, loosely covered with aluminum foil for about 5-10 minutes to let the juices stop running, then En-Joy!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Carolina Sauce Newsletter: Holiday Specials & Christmas Sale!

Give the gift of good taste this holiday season, and save money when you shop at the Carolina Sauce Company! Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, or are looking for an easy way to add flavor or fire to your Thanksgiving feast, we have something for every taste and palate, all at bargain prices. Order at least $40 in products from Carolina Sauce between now and November 30th, and we'll give you 10% off the product total when you use the coupon code "Blog1108" (without the apostrophes). Simply enter the coupon online in the "coupon code" section of the billing page, or mention the coupon when ordering by phone. To help you get started, we recommend our themed Gift Sets such as our Hunter's Gift Set or NC BBQ Sauce Gift Set in mild or hot. For folks with dietary restrictions we offer Low Carb & No Carb products, plus Low Sodium & No Sodium Products, and a growing selection of Kosher Products, too! We also have a huge selection of BBQ Sauces from all over the US, Hot Sauce from all over the world, and a comprehensive selection of North Carolina Products, from mild to wild. Still can't decide? Then send an electronic Gift Certificate, with no expiration date!

Save even more with "On Sale" products! Lots of sauces & condiments are currently on sale, including Blair's Death Hot Sauces with the famous skull keychain and many flavors of the Dave's Gourmet and Dave's Insanity Sauces; several different varieties of wing sauces and flavorful marinades, and special savings on Dry Rubs and Seasonings -- plus a new lower price on the world-famous Corky's Memphis BBQ Dry Rub! Simply look for the red sale prices, or the words "On Sale" when you shop at the Carolina Sauce Company online store. You can also search the Carolina Sauce Company store for the words "on sale" and that will show you a list of all the products currently on sale. But don't delay, as these special sale prices are good only while supplies last. And yes, you can get 10% off your order including special "on sale" items, so you save even more! Just remember to use the coupon code Blog1108 between now and November 30th to receive 10% off your order of $40 or more.

Want to save money in 2009, too? Then simply donate $5 or more to Operation Sauce Drop, our nonprofit effort to send free sauce to our troops, and we'll send you a coupon good for 10% off your next order (no minimum purchase required), good through the end of 2009! Just make sure you mention this Christmas Newsletter in the comment section of your donation so that we know to email the special coupon to you. The troops will really appreciate your support, as you can see from the Operation Sauce Drop feedback & photos we've received.

Delicious New Products!
Our last batch of zesty new products for 2008 has finally arrived, hailing from places as varied as NC, Alabama, Oklahoma, the Caribbean, and even Israel. Here are all the new products we've added since our last newsletter:

Hot Sauces
*Bubba's Special Sauce: Spoonably thick & rich like a salsa, this medium hot sauce from Alabama is chock-full of ripe tomatoes and fiery chili peppers without any vinegar harshness, and is perfect for recipes as well as for the table.
*Trinidad Extra Hot Habanero Pepper Sauce: Made in the traditional Caribbean style with a special blend of herbs and spices unique to Trinidad & Tobago, this fiery hot sauce will add a deliciously exotic, fiery kick to any dish! And it's on sale, too!
*Olio & Spices Garlic Chili Sauce: Inspired by Thai cuisine but with a Mediterranean twist, this thick, rich, mildly spicy gourmet sauce from Israel is sweet and garlicky, all-natural, and Kosher OU
*Olio & Spices Lemon Mint Chili Sauce: Another gem of a sauce from Israel, this jam-like sauce is citrusy and sweet with a touch of mint, and is delicious with salmon, chicken, tempura, cheese & crackers, and more. All-natural and Kosher OU, too.

BBQ Sauce & Marinades
*Sa-Mokin Championship Award-Winning BBQ Sauce: This is the competition recipe that has won big in Oklahoma, and now you can enjoy its bold and hearty flavor at home. Sa-Mokin features a tomato base with smoky spiciness from chipotles, zesty tang from worcestershire & vinegar, and sweet notes from maple and molasses -- and it's ON SALE!
*Olio & Spices BBQ Fig Sauce: Sweet mediterranean red figs are blended with hickory smoked barbecue sauce for a delicious sauce that pairs beautifully with all sorts of meats, poultry and more. Made in Israel from all natural ingredients, it's also Kosher Parev OU.
*Olio & Spices Pomegranate Teriyaki Sauce: Classic Asian teriyaki meets Middle Eastern pomegranate in this gourmet marinade and cooking sauce. The sweet and tangy fruit is the perfect complement to soy-based teriyaki. Made in Israel, all-natural and Kosher OU.

Condiments
*Castle Sauce: This classic steak sauce is a favorite of old and young alike, and is great on steaks, burgers, fries, onion rings and more. If you were a fan of the old Boar & Castle Sauce, then you will love the new Castle Sauce from Thomas Gourmet Foods!
*Anchor Bar Bleu Cheese Sauce: From the birthplace of the original Buffalo wings, this Bleu Cheese Sauce is what you need for dipping hot wings, celery & carrot sticks!
*Trolly Stop Hot Mustard Sauce: From a little hot dog stand in Wilmington, NC, this spicy mustard sauce will dress up your hot dogs, brats & other sausages, sandwiches, and anything else that needs some zip -- and it's on sale!

Send Free Sauce to Our Deployed Troops
Operation Sauce Drop is our non-profit program that sends free gift boxes of sauce to US military personnel stationed abroad. We've shipped over 300 free gift boxes to date, but there are over 300 troops on our list waiting to receive a free box of sauce. It costs about $20 for us to purchase and ship each gift box. Want to send a soldier a taste of home this holiday season? Then please support Operation Sauce Drop by making a donation, and the Carolina Sauce Company will MATCH your donation so your money will go twice as far. You can also shop to support Operation Sauce Drop, where 100% of the purchase price of the listed products goes straight into Operation Sauce Drop (you get the products you order, and the money helps send free sauce to the troops). If you have any doubts about whether a box of sauce can make a difference, simply read the thank-you notes the troops and their families have sent to our donors. Still need another reason to donate? How about this: Donate at least $5, and mention this Christmas Newsletter in the comment section of your donation, and we'll send you a coupon for 10% off your next order, good through the end of 2009, no minimum purchase required! Let a soldier know they're remembered back home during the upcoming holidays by supporting Operation Sauce Drop.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Peppery Relief from Cold Symptoms

Well, unfortunately I'm a bit under the weather with a nasty head cold. But I'm not letting it stop me, and, in fact, I'm getting some much-needed sinus congestion relief by spiking my food with peppery spices. A while back I posted a recipe for ginger tea, which is particularly soothing when one is suffering from a cold. Here are some more zesty ideas on how to get some relief:

*Nothing beats a mug or bowl of chicken soup when one's feeling sick, especially if the soup is homemade. No time to make chicken soup from scratch? Even if all you have is a can of plain chicken broth, you can still make it tastier and even better for relieving cold symptoms by splashing several squirts of hot sauce or dashes of a peppery spice blend, preferably one with little or no salt, like Louisiana Bayou Blend Seasoning. In addition to the pepper, I add the freshly sqeezed juice of half a lemon or lime, and a tablespoon or so of minced fresh garlic. Stir everything and heat until piping hot, stirring occasionally. Sip, and feel those clogged nasal passages open right up as the hot soup warms your aching body. MMmmmm good!

*Masala Chai, a peppery-spicy tea from India, is also very good for tackling congestion. You can find it in specialty or ethnic stores in tea bags, or you can get the Masala Chai spices and add a pinch or two to the boiling water for your regular black tea. Stir in some honey and milk to taste, and enjoy. If that sounds too exotic for you, try the ginger tea recipe, or some hot lemonade sweetened with honey to help soothe a sore throat.

*Collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens and even good ol' spinach are packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and the oldtimers will tell you about the restorative power of "pot liquor", the green liquid that's left when you cook up a mess of greens. I like to add a vinegar pepper sauce to my greens, and Blues Carolina Pepper Sauce does the job quite nicely. And yes, I drink the leftover spicy pot liquor or mop it up with some cornbread if I'm lucky enough to have some.

Don't forget to drink plenty of water, get lots of rest and Vitamin C (preferrably as oranges or grapefruits rather than tablets), and soon you'll be back to health.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Free Recipes with Olio & Spices Sauces

Newsflash: Free recipes now come with each flavor of Olio & Spices Sauces from Israel! All 5 delicious varieties turn everyday meals into gourmet dining experiences, without having to slave for hours in the kitchen. Versatile, all-natural and Kosher Parev OU, Olio & Spices Sauces are the creation of an inspired chef for his family restaurant in the Israeli countryside, and you can taste the love and care that went into making each product. And now you can try some of the recipes that have made the Olio & Spices product line an international culinary sensation! Whenever you order one or more bottles of any Olio & Spices product from the Carolina Sauce Company online store, we'll send you 6 pages of free recipes (with photos!) and cooking tips, including:

*Chili Caramelized Salmon, made with Pomegranate Teriyaki Sauce

*Cheese & Figs Appetizer, made with Barbecue Fig Sauce

*Chicken Stew Celebration, made with Lemon & Mint Chili Sauce

*Beef Tenderloin Roasted in Red Wine Onion Sauce

...and more!

"Respect your taste" and gratify your desire for wholesome, delicious and easy to prepare meals by adding Olio & Spices sauces to your pantry. You can order each flavor individually from the Carolina Sauce Company, or save some money and order all 5 flavors at one time!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Spicy Thanksgiving Ideas

Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, so now is the time to start planning and preparing for the big meal, making sure that you'll have all the ingredients you need. If you're preparing a Thanksgiving feast for folks who enjoy spicy food, you don't need to bore them with bland traditional recipes year after year -- nor do you need to abandon those old favorite recipes. Here are some simple ways you can add some fire and spice to a traditional Thanksgiving meal:

*Provide a bottle of Toad Sweat Cranberry Dessert Hot Sauce along with your traditional cranberry sauce, for folks to splash on to their turkey, or stir into the regular cranberry sauce for an added peppery kick

*For your appetizer tray, prepare some Zing Dip: Whip 4 oz. of cream cheese or sour cream until smooth, then add a small very finely chopped onion, 3 Tbs mayonnaise, 2 Tbs Capsicana Zing Gourmet Sauce, and some finely chopped ham or crabmeat (you can omit the ham or crab if you prefer). Stir until all is thoroughly combined, and serve with crackers, raw vegetables or chips.

*If you're serving baked ham, use Yam Good Sauce or Bear-Man Sap-Happy Golden Bear Maple Sauce for basting and glazing.

*If you serve a pre-meal relish or pickle tray, include some Twenty Pepper Garlic as well as some Capone Family Secret Giardiniera along with your milder pickles and olives. Both the 20 Pepper Garlic and the Giardiniera are delicious when paired with cheese, crackers and dry sausages.

*Add Durn Good Original Seasoning Blend to your green bean casserole or stuffing recipe in place of some or all of the salt, for a peppery pick-me-up! Or if cooking for a crowd where not everyone wants to eat heat, simply provide the Durn Good Seasoning on the table along with your ordinary salt & pepper. And for chiliheads on sodium restricted diets, I recommend Louisiana Bayou Blend, an all-purpose pepper seasoning with no sodium and no salt.

*If you're planning a rustic Thanksgiving meal featuring venison, you need Greg's Happy Sauce as your marinade & cooking sauce for the tenderest, most succulent venison you've ever tasted. Greg's Happy Sauce comes with recipes and cooking tips, and was especially developed for venison. And it's on sale at the Carolina Sauce Company online store!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Simple Sweet & Sour Shrimp Stir-Fry

I came up with this sweet and tangy stir-fry a couple of weekends ago when I had a craving for sweet and sour shrimp, but didn't want to get it from a restaurant where the shrimp would be battered and fried. My version is healthier, and I think it's tastier, too! I confess that I didn't measure any of the ingredients but instead "eyeballed" the proportions, keeping in mind that I was cooking for two hungry adults. Feel free to adjust the proportions to your tastes and needs.

Ingredients
2 to 3 bell peppers (I used 1 red, 1 yellow and 1 orange, but any combo or green bell peppers would work)
1 to 2 medium/large onions, cut into wedges (I used 2 medium sweet onions)
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
Optional: 1 to 2 hot peppers, minced (I used 2 fresh cayenne peppers)
Fresh or frozen (thawed) shrimp, peeled & deveined
Peanut or vegetable oil for stir-frying
Cashew halves (I used salted, you can use unsalted)
Tony's Birdland Sweet & Sour Wing Sauce

Heat the oil to medium-high in a wok or large frying pan. Add the onions and stir-fry until translucent. Add peppers and garlic, stir-fry until peppers soften. Add shrimp and stir-fry until they start turning pink. Pour in enough Tony's Birdland Sweet & Sour Sauce to coat everything, toss in the cashews, and continue to stir-fry until the shrimp is done (be careful not to overcook!), adding more Sweet & Sour Sauce if desired (I like it pretty saucy so that the rice will soak up some of the sauce). Serve immediately over steamed rice, or over Asian noodles, or just "as is" for a low carb meal.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: All three flavors of Tony's Birdland wing sauces are currently on sale at the Carolina Sauce Company online store!

Tips for Filling Out the Operation Sauce Drop Form

In the past few days, we have had a HUGE number of troops sign up to receive a free gift box of sauce through Operation Sauce Drop, the nonprofit program run by the Carolina Sauce Company to send free gift boxes of sauce to US military personnel stationed at APO and FPO addresses. Some folks have been stumped while trying to use the online order form, so here are some tips that will help when entering a military shipping address:

* In the "city" field, please type APO or FPO as appropriate for your address.

* In the "state" field, please type AE or AP as appropriate for your address.

* In the "country" field, please select "United States".

* The rest of your military address goes in the first two address lines ("Street Address 1" and "Street Address 2"). You can leave "Street Address 2" blank if the rest of your address fits in the first Street Address line.

* Please enter a phone number either for yourself or for someone who can answer questions if we have problems trying to ship the gift box (or you can enter "N/A" if there is no phone number).

* Please leave the Shipping Method on the default "UPS Ground" selection -- we already know that your package will have to be shipped via USPS Priority Mail, and there will be no charge for shipping. If you change the shipping method, the order form may try to charge you for shipping. Shipping *is* free for gift boxes going to APO/FPO addresses, so please leave the shipping method alone to avoid any problems.

* Please enter your email address so that we can send you confirmation of shipping status, and we will otherwise ONLY contact you if there is a problem with your order. You will NOT be added to any mailing lists unless you specifically request to be added, and your email will NOT be shared or sold or disclosed to anyone, ever.

* If you do NOT have an APO or FPO shipping address, please do NOT sign up for an Operation Sauce Drop gift box. The purpose of Operation Sauce Drop is to send a taste of home to overseas troops. Your order *will* be canceled without processing/charging if your shipping address is NOT an APO or FPO address. And no, the Operation Sauce Drop gift boxes are not for sale.

*** If you are a civilian signing up a member of our Armed Forces for a free gift box: Operation Sauce Drop is made possible by the donations of ordinary people like you, and the Carolina Sauce Company matches 100% of all donations received. The average cost for us to purchase and ship a free gift box for a serviceperson is about $20. We currently have a waiting list of over 200 troops signed up to receive a free gift box, and we can't purchase and ship gift boxes for them without more donations (we're out of funds). If you are a civilian who is signing up a serviceman or woman, please consider making a donation to Operation Sauce Drop to help us send out the gift box -- we cannot do it without your help. You can also shop to support Operation Sauce Drop, where 100% of the product price goes directly to Operation Sauce Drop.

* If after reading these tips you still encounter any problems trying to sign up for a Gift Box, please don't hesitate to contact us by phone (919-286-1080) or email (sales"AT"carolinasauce"DOT"com), and one of our representatives will be happy to help you.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Thank You to our Veterans

Today is Veteran's Day, a day when we honor the brave men and women who have served our country and given so much of themselves to keep us safe and free back home, and to fight the forces of genocide and tyranny. I've had the pleasure of speaking with several vets today who have called the Carolina Sauce Company to sign up a son or daughter, friend, or an "adopted" fellow serviceman or woman serving overseas, to receive a free gift box of sauce through Operation Sauce Drop. One amazing woman told me that she is a veteran and her daughter (currently serving in a medical capacity in Germany, helping our wounded warriors) is the 5th generation in their family to serve in our military. I expressed my gratitude for their service and sacrifices, something I do whenever I have the honor of speaking with a veteran or active-duty member of our armed forces. I've also been touched by the generosity of those vets who have made donations to Operation Sauce Drop so that a deployed soldier who will spend the upcoming holidays far from home and in harm's way could receive a little taste of home.

As I've worked today filling orders for civilan customers and preparing Operation Sauce Drop gift boxes for our deployed troops, I've kept thinking about how lucky we are to live in such a great country as the USA. Yes, it's not perfect, and these are trying times for many, but we are blessed with a form of government that allows us to express our disagreements and dissents without fear of political persecution, to worship as we wish (or to choose not to worship at all), and to participate as full citizens regardless of our sex, skin color, national origin, religious persuasion and the like. Regardless of our political views during these troubled times, we should never forget the sacrifices that the brave men and women in our armed forces have made, and continue to make, to keep us free and safe. So if you see a uniformed member of our military today (or any day, really), or if you know a veteran, please take the time to thank them for serving our country, and please consider supporting our troops with letters, care packages, or some other way to let them know that they are not forgotten back home.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: Thank you, dear readers, for indulging me today on this "less saucy" topic. Having a family member on active duty in the Army has made me much more aware of what military service truly entails, both for the individual serviceperson and for their family and friends. I sincerely believe that our troops deserve our support, regardless of politics.

Lots of Hot Sauce on Sale, BBQ Sauce on Sale, and More!

Save some money while finding the perfect gourmet Christmas gift or fiery holiday gift when you shop at the Carolina Sauce Company online store! Lots of sauces, condiments and other zesty products are on sale, including barbecue sauce like the award-winning Sa-Mokin Championship Recipe BBQ Sauce from Oklahoma, hot sauce like the fiery-hot Blair's Death Hot Sauces with the famous skull keychain and many flavors of the Dave's Gourmet and Dave's Insanity Sauces; several different varieties of wing sauces and flavorful marinades, and special savings on Dry Rubs and Seasonings -- plus a new lower price on the world-famous Corky's Memphis BBQ Dry Rub!

So how do you find which items are on sale? Simply look for the red sale prices, or the words "On Sale" when you shop at the Carolina Sauce Company online store. You can also search the Carolina Sauce Company store for the words "on sale" and that will show you a list of all the products currently on sale. But don't delay, as these special sale prices are good only while supplies last!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Operation Sauce Drop Update: Help!!

First, the good news: Operation Sauce Drop our nonprofit program that sends free gift boxes of sauce to active military with an APO or FPO address, will ship out another 30 (thirty!) free gift boxes tomorrow (Monday Nov. 10), thanks in great part to the generosity of two "angel" donors who each have donated hundreds of dollars to Operation Sauce Drop since its inception. This will bring our total to 283 free gift boxes of hot sauce & BBQ sauce shipped to our brave troops serving abroad. Operation Sauce Drop is made possible by the generous support of our donors, who are ordinary people just like you and me. We don't receive any government money or corporate support; rather, our donors simply give what they can when they can, even if just $5 or $10 -- and the Carolina Sauce Company matches all donations, so your dollar goes twice as far!

Now the bad news: Over the last few days we have had a flurry -- no, an AVALANCHE -- of troops signing up for free gift boxes. In fact, just today alone we've had over 50 (yes, FIFTY) troops signed up for a free gift box. This is great, BUT.... we have had ZERO (as in, $0) donations come in during this time. Here at the Carolina Sauce Company, we would love to be able to purchase and ship all of these gift boxes ourselves without asking for any donations, but the reality is that we are a family owned and operated small business and it's all we can do to match the donations we get. In fact, we also pay for all the incidental expenses associated with Operation Sauce Drop, including credit card/internet fees, and we donate the labor, shipping supplies, etc., ensuring that 100% of donations go towards the cost (at our cost, NOT retail) of the sauces and shipping.

The average cost for us to purchase and ship an Operation Sauce Drop gift box is $20, which means that your $10 donation (which we will match) will enable us to ship one more free gift box to a member of our military who is serving our country in Iraq, Afghanistan, or some other faraway location. Won't you please consider making a donation, even if only $5? You can also shop to support Operation Sauce Drop by purchasing delicious salsas donated by Pepper Dog Salsa, so that 100% of the purchase price goes directly to Operation Sauce Drop.

Please help us brighten the holidays for our military personnel stationed far from home, and possibly in harm's way. If you can donate to Operation Sauce Drop in any amount, you will help us send a taste of home to our troops and let them know that folks back home are thinking of them (and the Carolina Sauce Company will match your donation, so your dollars will go twice as far). If you don't believe that your donation can make a difference, just take a look at the Operation Sauce Drop feedback we've received.

Please help us brighten a serviceman's or servicewoman's day by donating whatever you can to Operation Sauce Drop.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart -- and our military thanks you, too!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: If you want to learn more about Operation Sauce Drop, simply visit the older posts on this topic on this blog, including my introductory post which explains my inspiration for Operation Sauce Drop.

October's Best-Selling BBQ Sauce, Hot Sauce, etc.

The top ten best-selling sauces lists for specific product categories at the Carolina Sauce Company online store have been updated to reflect purchases as of November 2nd. Here are quick links to each product category list, as well as the Number 1 best-seller (or other notable product or two) for each category.

*Best-Selling Hot Sauces: A local North Carolina favorite, Durn Good Hot Sauce, is currently ranked the #8 best-selling hot sauce for the year -- and it comes in a convenient take-anywhere little mini-bottle as well as in a regular 5oz bottle!

*Best-Selling Barbecue Sauces: The ever-popular Carolina Swamp Sauce is currently our best-selling BBQ sauce -- and it's NOT a typical vinegar based North Carolina BBQ sauce, either!

*Best-Selling Marinades & Dressings: Our very own multiple-award-winning gourmet recipe, Greg's Happy Sauce, is currently our second-best selling marinade -- use it for marinating, grilling and cooking virtually anything (it comes with recipes), and it's currently on sale!

*Best-Selling Rubs & Seasonings: Another North Carolina (and Carolina Sauce Company) favorite, Pig Pen's Original Seasoning, is holding at #7 -- use it for ribs, roasts, chicken and even as a french fry or popcorn seasoning!

*Best-Selling Salsas & Relish: One of my personal favorites, Pepper Dog Salsa Verde, sits at #7 on this list -- and 100% of the purchase price for every jar is donated to Operation Sauce Drop!

*Best-Selling Jerks & Curry: All three varieties of Pluto's Organic Jamaican Sauces are currently among the top ten best-sellers, which is no surprise because they're mouthwatering-good (and good for you, too!)

*Best-Selling Mustards: From the makers of Bone Suckin' Sauce barbecue sauce, the sweet-hot Bone Suckin' Mustard is our second-best selling mustard so far this year

*Best-Selling Wing Sauces: One of our newest hot wing sauces, Tony's Birdland Hot Wing Sauce from Rochester NY, is currently in 3rd place -- and it's on sale, too!

*Best-Selling North Carolina Products: The number 1 best-selling NC product (by a country mile!) is the long-awaited classic steak sauce called Castle Sauce from Thomas Gourmet Foods, inspired by an old favorite that's no longer available

*Best-Selling Snacks: Both flavors of Buderim Ginger Bears from Autralia are currently in first and second place on this list -- and these gummy bears are made with real ginger, so they're good for you as well as addictively delicious!

*Best-Selling Gift Sets: Our two signature gift sets, the NC BBQ Sauce (mild) Gift Set and NC BBQ Sauce (hot) Gift Set are in 1st and 6th place respectively, and each features a variety of differen North Carolina barbecue sauces representing the different styles found in our home state.

Now's the time to buy unique, delicious Christmas gifts for family and friends, and you can't go wrong with any of the best-sellers at the Carolina Sauce Company!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Dem Bonz Baked Beans

This mouthwatering recipe comes from the creator of Dem Bonz Barbecue Sauce, a deliciously thick and tangy, slightly sweet & slightly spicy BBQ sauce from Laurinburg, NC. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 can of baked beans
1 can of great northern beans
1 can of pinto beans
1 lb of ground beef
2 onions, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 lb bacon
3 Tbs brown sugar
1 Tbs mustard
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 cup Dem Bonz Barbecue Sauce

Preheat your oven to 350F. Cook the ground beef in a frying pan, drain off the grease and set the ground beef aside. Then fry the bacon until crispy, remove the bacon from the pan BUT save the bacon grease in the pan. Cook the onions and green pepper in the bacon grease until soft, then remove from pan. (Gloria's Note: I like to fry the onions until they start turning golden, for added depth of flavor. I also place the cooked ground beef, bacon, and veggies on paper-towel-covered plates to absorb excess grease.)

Mix together the remaining ingredients in a bowl, then add all the cooked ingredients and combine well. Pour everything into a casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until bubbly.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

P.S. Dem Bonz Barbecue Sauce is currently on sale at the Carolina Sauce Company!

Olio & Spices Garlic Chili Sauce

Olio & Spices Garlic Chili Sauce is a sweet and tangy, food-friendly Asian sauce and condiment that delivers spectacular gourmet flavor and will satisfy the whole family. Unlike traditional Sriracha or other classic Asian sauces that are fiery-hot, this Garlic Chili sauce is only mildly spicy, making it perfect for kids and other folks with more sensitive palates. Like all Olio & Spices products,their Garlic Chili Sauce is all-natural and Kosher Parev OU (it's actually made in Israel!), and the wholesome goodness is visible and evident in every taste. Made with fresh crushed peppers, sliced garlic, vinegar and herbs, you can see the bits of fresh ingredients which not only provide the delicious flavor but also impart a pleasant mouthfeel. The sauce itself has a thick, rich consistency, not thin and watery like vinegar-based sauces.

Use Olio & Spices Garlic Chili Sauce in stir-fry dishes and as a dip for egg rolls and fried foods, raw veggies, and chips. The sweet, tangy and garlicky flavor notes also pair nicely with cheese and crackers, grilled seafood and roast chicken. In sum, this sauce is tasty, fun and easy to use by everyone with virtually anything, providing an "everyday gourmet experience" that will "respect your taste" (the Olio & Spices motto). Buy it now at the Carolina Sauce Company.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Pukka Sauce Availability Problems?

Rumors are flying of shortages involving the ever-popular Busha Browne's Pukka Hot Pepper Sauce from Jamaica -- and sure enough, when I checked with our importer this afternoon, I was told they didn't have much in stock and had no information on when they'd be able to get more. Natually, I snapped up all the Pukka Sauce they had in stock, and it will arrive at the Carolina Sauce Company either this Friday or next Monday. Our supplier hadn't heard whether the manufacturer was having production problems, or whether other other Busha Browne sauces and Jamaican jerk seasonings were also affected, but promised to pass along any information they might receive. And I'll keep investigating this situation in order to ensure that we can keep these popular products in stock for the Carolina Sauce Company online store. Stay tuned for more information as soon as it becomes available..... and if you want some Busha Browne Pukka Sauce, you probably should go ahead and order it sooner rather than later, so that you don't get left out!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Olio & Spices Lemon & Mint Chili Sauce

If you're looking for a refreshing new twist on classic Thai chili sauce, then you need to try Olio & Spices Lemon & Mint Chili Sauce, the brainchild of an inspired Israeli chef for his family-run country restaurant. Full of sweet and spicy flavors without the painful burn of traditional Thai sauces, this unique all-natural sauce features fresh-sqeezed lemon juice and crushed mint leaves in a thick, rich garlic-chili pepper base. The little bits of fresh ingredients provide a tongue-pleasing mouthfeel, especially with the almost jam-like consistency of the sauce (just like homemade!). The zesty, citrusy flavors pair wonderfully with salmon and other seafood, broiled or grilled or baked chicken, tempura vegetables, egg rolls, and cold salads. It's a tasty no-effort snack spooned onto crackers or as a dip for pita chips and other snack chips. Kids love it with chicken nuggets or fish sticks! This gourmet treat will please young and old alike, and it's Kosher Parev OU, too. Available now from the Carolina Sauce Company.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Louisiana Swamp Scum Soup

I came up with this recipe this weekend, when I was in the mood for something hearty and warming. You can freeze the leftovers in small containers and have homemade soup with little effort (defrosting and heating in the microwave) for several more meals. The recipe involves very little work, but cooking takes some time: you'll need to soak the beans overnight, and plan on letting the soup cook around 3 hours, but it needs very little attention while it cooks. Trust me, the end result is well worth the time!

Ingredients
3 cups dried beans (I like to use several different types, or you can just use 1 kind)
2 Qts chicken broth (homemade or organic is best)
1 ham hock
1 cup chopped country ham
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 carrot, sliced
1 15oz or 16oz can of diced tomatoes (for an extra spicy soup, you can substitute up to half with Bubba's Special Sauce)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 Tbs dried parsley)
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1 to 2 tsp (or to taste) Louisiana Swamp Scum Hot Sauce
Juice of 1 lemon or lime

Pick over the beans, rinse, and soak overnight. Drain, rinse, place in a large soup pot and pour in the chicken broth. Add the ham hock and country ham, bring to a gentle boil and then lower to a simmer. Cook uncovered at a simmer for about 2 hours or until the beans just start to soften, stirring occasionally. Add the remaining ingredients, bring back to a simmer or very gentle boil and cook until beans are tender, about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Taste and add additional hot sauce if desired. I didn't add any salt, but you can add to taste if desired. You can make a meal with this soup by serving with a side of corn bread and a salad or some cooked greens (collards, sauteed spinach, steamed broccoli, etc.).

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Best-Selling Hot Sauce & Other Products for October 2008

One of our newest products was also our best-selling sauce for the month of October -- but the rest of the list of Top Ten Products was rounded out by many of the "usual suspects." Here's the list, which is also available on the Carolina Sauce Company home page:

1. Castle Sauce, a much-anticipated classic steak sauce from Greensboro, NC

2. Blue Tick Dressing, a raspberry-poppyseed vinaigrette that makes a delicious marinade as well as salad dressing

3. Matouk's West Indian Hot Sauce, full of fruity, fiery flavors and made in Trinidad & Tobago

4. Matouk's Calypso Hot Sauce, slightly spicier than Matouk's West Indian Hot Sauce, and made with aged Scotch Bonnet peppers for authentic flavor and heat

5. Matouk's Flambeau Hot Sauce, by far the hottest of Matouk's hot sauces, but without sacrificing the great Caribbean flavor

6. Walkerswood Jamaican Jerk Seasoning, a traditional Jamaican jerk paste or "wet rub" that's essential for making authentic jerked chicken or meat

7. Carolina Swamp Sauce, an unusual barbecue sauce and marinade from North Carolina with hints of Asian flavors and a touch of spice -- fabulous on shrimp as well as chicken and beef!

8. Busha Browne's Pukka Sauce, a fiery, all-purpose hot sauce from Jamaica that's based on a traditional colonial recipe

9. Wells Hog Heaven BBQ Sauce, a classic eastern NC vinegar based barbecue sauce (no tomatoes) that's perfect for pulled pork BBQ

10. Jamaica Hellfire Doc's Special Hot Sauce, featuring a secret blend of sun-ripened, fiery-hot tropical peppers

We're in the process of tabulating the results for the top-ten best-selling sauces in each specific product category, and will update those online lists very soon. I'll also highlight them here in the very near future. Customers have told us that these best-seller lists are a great way to find new sauces they haven't tried before, and that they're also quite convenient when shopping for food gifts. Keep the feedback coming!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria