Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Year-End Clearance Sale at Carolina Sauce!

Now's the time to re-stock your pantry while saving money on delicious sauces, seasonings, condiments and snacks during our end-of-the-year clearance sale at the Carolina Sauce Company online store -- no coupon necessary! Simply look for the red sale prices, or search for the words "on sale" when you search the Carolina Sauce site. If you still need a holiday gift for someone who likes to cook or enjoys zesty foods, you'll find that perfect gift here, at a great low price. To help you get started, below are links and descriptions for some of the mouthwatering products currently on sale:

NC Pepper Jelly is hand-made in the North Carolina mountains and comes in red and green, mild and hot. Old-fashioned pepper jelly is the perfect accompaniment to lamb, pork, poultry, steak, brie and other cheeses, and even bagels, croissants, toast and biscuits. Regularly $4.99 a jar, on sale for only $3.99! Also available in a 2-pack gift box, regularly $11.99 but now only $10.99!

Jump Up & Kiss Me Spicy Passion Fruit Sauce is an all-natural gourmet hot sauce that's sweet & spicy, and makes a great Valentine's Day gift for your favorite foodie or chilehead. Regularly $5.50 a bottle, on sale for only $5.25!

Firehouse Nuts are fiery smoked-habanero seasoned peanuts from North Carolina that come in a firefighter themed can. Make sure to stock up, because these are addictive! Regularly $5.99 a can, on sale for only $5.50!

Olio & Spices Chili Sauces from Israel are hard-to-find elegant sauces made from all-natural ingredients, full of flavor without fiery heat and divine with lamb, steak, chicken, seafood and even rice dishes. Available in zesty Garlic Chili Sauce and exotic Lemon Mint Chili Sauce, and each comes with free recipes -- and they're Kosher too. Regularly $6.99 a bottle, on sale for only $6.50!

Bubba's Special Sauce from Eclectic, Alabama, is thick and rich, chock-full of ripe tomatoes & chile peppers for garden-fresh flavor. Spoon onto any savory dish, dip chips in it and add to all your favorite Tex-Mex and Southwestern recipes. Regularly $5.25 a jar, on sale for only $4.99!

DEFCON 3 Wing Sauce is an award-winning mildly spicy Buffalo wing sauce that's made with real cream and is finger-licking good. Regularly $6.50 a bottle, on sale for only $5.75!

Blue's Chipotle Mustard Pepper Sauce is a full-bodied, full-flavored mustard-based hot sauce with a rich, smoky-tangy flavor and food-friendly medium heat. Regularly $6.99 a bottle, on sale for only $6.75!

Pluto's Caribbean Bliss Spice Blends capture the essence of Jamaican cuisine and come in original Hot, gentle Mild, and spicy-hot Fiery. Regularly $4.75 a bottle, on sale for only $4.25!

Uncle Pete's BBQ Sauces are thick, rich, award-winning barbecue sauces from South Carolina and come in sweet-tangy Original, smoky Hickory, and peppery Spicy -- and they come with free recipes! Regularly $5.95 a bottle, on sale for only $5.50!

Burning Asphalt Hot Sauces are racing-themed hot sauces from upstate New York that deliver big, bold flavor - these are not your typical vinegary, watered-down hot sauces. Available in Jalapeno, Habanero, Garlic Habanero and Sweet & Hot Garlic. Regularly $4.95 a bottle, on sale for only $4.50!

Burning Asphalt Steak Sauces are racing-themed steak sauces from upstate NY that are brimming with big, bold flavor. The Homestyle steak sauce delivers gourmet flavor with a mildly spicy finish and is on sale for only $4.50 a bottle (regularly $4.99). The zesty Sweet Pepper Steak & Dipping Sauce is excellent for the table as well as for glazing, dipping and marinating, and is on sale for only $4.75 a bottle (regularly $4.99).

D'Vine Foods Muscadine BBQ Sauce is a North Carolina original, a savory & tangy tomato-vinegar-mustard BBQ Sauce enhanced with sweet muscadine grapes. Regularly $5.50 a bottle, on sale for only $4.99. Only one (1) left in stock!

The Distillery BBQ Sauce from the award-winning The Distillery Bar & Restaurants in upstate NY is incredibly thick and rich with mouthwatering flavor that's bold, sweet, smoky & tangy. Fabulous on ribs & chicken, excellent in meatloaf & sloppy joes. Regularly $5.99 a bottle, on sale for only $5.75!

Durn Good Seasonings are savory all-purpose spice blends from NC and come in Original (savory BBQ), Cajun Spice, Island Spice, and Southwest Flavor -- they help you turn ordinary meals into flavorful gourmet feasts with just a shake or two. Regularly $4.75 a bottle, on sale for only $4.50 each!

Select flavors of the hard-to-find Susie's Hot Sauces from Antigua, regularly $6.99 a bottle but on sale for only $6.75 each!

Ann's Marinade is a robust tenderizing marinade developed by a hunter especially for game and other tough cuts of meat. Adds rich flavor to venison, wild boar, pheasant, rabbit, beef roasts and even portobello mushrooms. Regularly $6.50 a bottle, on sale for $5.99!

Bear-Man Growlin' Grizzly BBQ & Dipping Sauce from upstate NY is an award-winning thick & tangy sauce with mouth-pleasing texture and a big, bold flavor that complements and enhances meat, poultry, venison and other hearty fare. Comes with free recipes, too! Regularly $5.99 a bottle, on sale for only $5.75!

Mama T's Seasonings are hand-made in Kitty Hawk, NC using family recipes, and come in tangy Ranch Style, savory Seafood Seasoned Salt, robust Mesquite Seasoning, and Cuban-style Tropical Island Seasoning. The large bottles are regularly $6.99 but have been slashed to only $6.50! The small bottles are regularly $5.99 a bottle, but are on sale for only $5.75!

Melinda's Habanero Steak Sauce blends fiery Caribbean flavor into traditional steak sauce for an amazing taste sensation. Regularly $3.99 a bottle, on sale for only $3.75!

Mixed Hot Pepper Rings are hand-made in the NC mountains using local farm-grown chile peppers. These spicy pickled pepper rings make a delicious condiment for sandwiches, grilled foods, omelets, and even pizza and nachos. Regularly $5.99 a jar, on sale for only $4.99!

Thomas Gourmet Foods Apple Chutney is made in NC using all-natural ingredients and makes a luscious condiment for pork, turkey, chicken and more. Serve with cream cheese or brie and crackers for a tasty appetizer. Regularly $5.99 a jar, on sale for only $5.75!

Thomas Gourmet Foods Pineapple Chutney from NC adds exotically delicious flavor to holiday ham, pork chops, broiled fish, roast chicken and more. Serve with cream cheese or brie and crackers for a tasty appetizer. Regularly $5.99 a jar, on sale for only $5.75!

Tortuga Hot Caribbean Pepper Sauce is an authentic mustard-based scotch bonnet pepper hot sauce from the West Indies. Regularly $3.99 a bottle, on sale for only $3.75!

Conquering Lion Hickory-Smoked XXX Hot Sauce is hand-made in rural West Virginia from all-natural and organic ingredients and delivers robust smoky flavor with super-hot habanero & cayenne pepper heat. This hard to find hot sauce is regularly $7.99 a bottle, on sale for only $7.50!

Just My Taste Jalapeno Dip, Sauce & Marinade is made in NC using garden-fresh jalapenos and other all-natural ingredients for pure jalapeno flavor and fire. Use at the table and in cooking -- makes an excellent alternative to tomato salsa. Comes with free recipes, too! Regularly $5.99 a jar, on sale for only $5.50!

Tortuga Mango-Ginger Stir-Fry Sauce adds exotic tropical flavor to all sorts of food including stir-fry, seafood, poultry, rice dishes, Chinese takeout and more. Regularly $3.99 a bottle, on sale for only $3.75!

Tortuga Spicy Seafood Grill Sauce delivers authentic island flavor and fire to grilled or broiled fish and seafood. Regularly $3.99 a bottle, on sale for only $3.75!

Don't delay, because these prices are good only while supplies last or thru December 31st 2010, whichever comes first.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Monday, December 27, 2010

BBQ Spiced Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are a tasty and nutritious snack, and they're especially good when roasted at home and seasoned to your liking. Here's a simple recipe that you can make with your favorite barbecue seasoning. I like using Pig Pen's Original Seasoning for traditional barbecue flavor, or Pepper Dog Dry Rub for Southwestern flavor.

Start with 1 cup of raw pumpkin seeds - if using seeds freshly scooped from a pumpkin, make sure you rinse the seeds to clean off any pulp or fibers, then dry them by spreading on an oiled cookie sheet and baking for half an hour in your oven at 300F degrees. Remove the sheet from the oven and place the dried pumpkin seeds in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of melted butter, and 2 tablespoons of your favorite dry rub or BBQ seasoning . Toss to combine and coat the seeds evenly. Spread the coated seeds on the cookie sheet and roast in the oven at 375F degrees or until lightly toasted. Remove from oven and allow to cool to the touch, then enjoy!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Sunday, December 26, 2010

Get 10% Off a Case of Capsicana Zing Sauce!

If you love Capsicana Zing Gourmet Sauce, you can save 10% off the regular case price (12 bottles to a case) for the 10 oz bottles when you order from the Carolina Sauce Company and use the special coupon now available on the Carolina Sauce Company Facebook page. You can only see the coupon if you're a Fan of Carolina Sauce on Facebook. If you're not already a Fan, simply click on the "Like" button on our Facebook page to become a fan, and then click on the "Coupons" tab and you'll be able to see the special coupon code for 10% off a case of 10 oz Zing Sauce.

FYI our warehouse is closed until January 5th, but you can still order online while we're closed and we'll resume shipping orders after we re-open on January 6th.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: If you prefer smaller-size bottles, you'll be glad to know that the 5oz bottles of Zing Sauce are currently on sale, no coupon required!


Thursday, December 23, 2010

Carolina Sauce Co. Closed Until January 6, 2011

The Carolina Sauce Company is closing at 4pm eastern time today December 23rd, and we'll be closed through Wednesday, January 5th, to give our hard-working employees some time off with their families. We will re-open for business on Thursday, January 6th. You can still place orders at the Carolina Sauce online store while we are closed, but they will be shipped after we re-open on a first-come first-served basis. If you email or call us while we're closed, please understand that we won't be able to reply until after January 5th.

Many thanks to all our customers for making this our best and biggest December ever. We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, a safe and Happy New Year, and all the best for 2011!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Need a Last-Minute Christmas Gift?

If you're like me, you haven't finished your Christmas shopping and still need a gift for at least one more person on your list -- and you're rapidly running out of time and ideas. While I can't buy you more time, I can suggest two easy Christmas gifts that are sure to bring a smile, and which require almost no effort on your part - and which will arrive by Christmas, too!

1. Send a Carolina Sauce Company gift certificate. Our gift certificates NEVER expire, and are impossible to lose because we keep a record in our system and can look them up if someone misplaces the emailed certificate. To send a Carolina Sauce gift certificate, simply select the amount you want for your certificate, enter the recipient's email address, and complete the online checkout process, and we will email the gift certificate to the recipient in 3 days, which means they'll have it on Christmas Day. If you prefer a paper gift certificate, simply enter YOUR email address as the "recipient", and you'll receive the certificate via email in 3 days (on Dec 25th if you order today) and can then print it out to hand to the person you want to give it to. Finally, if you need the gift certificate before Christmas Day, simply print out the email confirmation that you will receive right after you order the gift certificate - although that in itself is not a certificate, it's proof that you purchased it and that the recipient will get the actual certificate via email.

2. Send a Gift Basket, Flowers, or Gourmet Foods from one of our affiliates. Choose from bountiful themed gift baskets in every price range, gorgeous fresh flower bouquets directly from the growers and stunning floral arrangements, mouthwatering gourmet food gifts and more, all through specially-selected vendors including GrowerFlowers, LobsterGram, Wine Enthusiast, and more. Simply click on the boxes on the left column of this blog to visit one of our affiliates and view their offerings, and they can ship your gift so that it arrives in time for Christmas.

Hope that helps, and good luck with your last-minute holiday shopping!
Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Monday, December 13, 2010

Ginger & Spice Cookies

These old-fashioned cookies will fill your house with the wonderful aroma of holiday spices while they bake.

Ingredients
1 1/2 sticks of margarine, melted
1 cup granulated sugar, plus more for rolling
1/4 cup dark molasses
1 egg
2 cups plus 1 Tbs flour
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp salt
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of allspice

Beat together the melted margarine, 1 cup sugar, molasses and eggs, until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes or so. Stir in the rest of the ingredients, then cover and refrigerate for several hours until this dough is stiff. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350F degrees. Roll the dough into marble-size balls, then roll each ball in granulated sugar. Place the balls on a greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart from each other and bake at 350F until they start to flatten. Makes about 18 cookies.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria
Carolina Sauce Company


Sunday, December 12, 2010

Job & Career Themed Sauce Gifts

If you're looking for a unique and thoughtful gift to give to a firefighter, pilot, lawyer, veterinarian, musician, Marine, or doctor, this list is the place to start!

*Gift for Lawyers, Judges, Paralegals, Legal Secretaries: Your favorite legal professional is sure to smile when you give them our Lawyers Gift Set featuring a bottle each of gourmet hot sauces named Lawyer's Breath, Contempt of Court, So Sue Me, and Under the Influence. The labels have old-style drawings of comical legal settings reminiscent of 19th century prints. And as an added bonus, these hot sauces actually taste really good!

*Gift for Marines: A favorite at Camp Lejeune, Semper Fi Marine Corps Hot Sauce bears an elegant gold-foil label with the Marine Corps seal. This is an all-natural Caribbean style hot sauce that's excellent for adding heat to any dish without altering its flavor. As an added bonus, we donate $1 from the sale of each bottle to Operation Sauce Drop, our nonprofit program that sends free sauce to deployed troops!

*Gift for Firefighters: Firemen are generally known for their appreciation of hearty, tasty food and a flair for spicy snacks. Firehouse Nuts are sure to please your favorite firefighter, with their feisty smoked-habanero kick and gourmet-peanut crunch. The firefighting-themed can features fire engines, hoses, axes and other tools of the trade. Firehouse Peanuts are currently on sale at the Carolina Sauce Company, so stock up for the whole fire station!

*Gift for Doctors: If your physician is a fiery foods fanatic, give him or her a bottle of "Doc's Special," aka Jamaica Hell Fire Doc's Special Hot Sauce. Made in Jamaica using sun-ripened and aged tropical peppers and Blue Mountain pimento (allspice), this fiery hot sauce will cure the bland-food blahs.

*Gifts for Veterinarians, Vet Techs, Dog Trainers, Pet-Sitters: Want to say "Thank You" to the vet, pet-sitter, groomer, dog walker or other special person who's been keeping your pooch healthy and happy? Give them some Pepper Dog salsas, dry rub seasoning, or one of our special Pepper Dog Salsa & Rub Gift Sets or Salsa Samplers. And if they love fiery foods or collect hot sauces, throw in a bottle or two of Mad Dog Hot Sauce.

*Gifts for Musicians: Featuring colorful, creative labels that sport electric guitars, Blues hot sauces were inspired by the blues and are a flavorful gift for your favorite blues, folk or rock guitarist. Blues Carolina Pepper Sauce is a tangy, spicy Carolina vinegar pepper sauce that's excellent with BBQ, wings, fried foods and any other savory dish. For folks who enjoy seriously fiery heat, there's the award-winning Blues Habanero Reserve Hot Sauce. And for rich, smoky-peppery-mustard flavor there's Blues Chipotle Mustard Pepper Sauce, which is on sale, too!

*Gift for Pilots: If an aviator is on your holiday gift list, give them a North Carolina original that was created by a retired Air Force colonel and is made using "airport peppers" (that should pique your curiosity - click on the product name to read more!) Mile High Hot Sauce is made with ripe red jalapeno peppers, which gives this sauce its deep red hue and addictive flavor & fire that's richer than that of regular green jalapeno sauces. The classic label features the silhouette of a prop plane, and the bottle is a generous 10-oz size (twice as much sauce as regular hot sauces!)

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Saturday, December 11, 2010

Spiced Hot Apple Cider

Spiced hot apple cider is a festive way to stay warm during a chilly winter evening. This recipe makes about 8 to 10 servings, and can be doubled or halved as needed.

Ingredients
8 1/2 to 9 cups apple cider or apple juice
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 to 3 sticks of cinnamon (about 4 inches total)
1 tsp whole cloves
1 tsp whole allspices
Peel of 1 lemon (no pith), cut into strips
Opt: Cinnamon sticks OR cinnamon candy sticks to garnish each mug

Place the spices and lemon peel in the center of a square of cheesecloth. Bring the 4 corners together to form a pouch, tie together with a string. Combine the apple cider or juice and the sugar in a large saucepan. Add the spice bag. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, remove the spice bag and pour or ladle into mugs. If desired, add a cinnamon stick or cinnamon candy stick to each mug as a garnish.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria
Carolina Sauce Company


Friday, December 10, 2010

3 More Saucy Gifts for Sports Fans

If there's a baseball fan or NASCAR fan on your Christmas gift list, here are some tasty gift ideas that will make him or her smile:

1. Durham Bulls Triple-Play BBQ Sauce: Officially licensed by the Durham Bulls, AAA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, this delicious Piedmont NC barbecue sauce features a tangy, slightly sweet and mildly spicy tomato-vinegar flavor that's excellent with Carolina style pork BBQ and also as a marinade and grilling sauce for chicken, ribs and more. Previously only available at the Durham Bulls' ballpark, you can now order it online from Carolina Sauce Company! Durham Bulls BBQ Sauce is also a unique and thoughtful gift for fans of the classic baseball movie, "Bull Durham."

2. Outta the Park BBQ Sauce: Created by a Red Sox fan now living in North Carolina, this sauce is sooooooo good that even Yankees fans love it - and I know that personally! This is not a Carolina-style vinegar barbecue sauce. Rather, it's thick and rich with plenty of tomato, just the right amount of savory tang, and a feisty peppery finish that's just enough to wake up the tastebuds without burning (yes, this barbecue sauce is kid-friendly). Outta the Park BBQ Sauce features a baseball-themed label, and it's great on everything from ribs and chicken to burgers and even pizza. Made with all-natural, mostly organic ingredients, Outta the Park BBQ Sauce will please foodies as well as regular folks who love good chow.

3. Burning Asphalt Hot Sauces, Steak Sauces, BBQ Sauces, Buffalo Wing Sauces, Spicy Ketchups and Dijon Mustard: Hailing from upstate New York, Burning Asphalt sauces and condiments are the brainchild of a passionate auto racing fan -- hence the racing-inspired name and the labels bearing race cars and a checkered flag motif. All of the Burning Asphalt products deliver mouth-pleasing flavor and texture because they're made with the highest quality ingredients and carefully crafted in small batches. Virtually impossible to find outside of New York and New England, you can now send your favorite NASCAR fan, Indy fan and sports car enthusiast all of these fabulous Burning Asphalt products through the Carolina Sauce online store.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Thursday, December 9, 2010

4 Zesty Gifts for Hot Sauce Newbies (and one for wimps)

If you'd like to introduce someone to the wonderful world of spicy foods without burning them out and scaring them away, here are some mild but flavorful hot sauce gifts that will please the palate while bypassing the pain of more fiery hot sauces:

1. Mild Hot Sauces Gift Set: This excellent "starter kit" includes 5 different hot sauces that are mildly spicy, with just a touch of peppery heat and plenty of rich flavor. Includes African Rhino Mild Peri-Peri Pepper Sauce, Ring of Fire Garden Fresh Pepper Sauce, Marie Sharp's Mild Habanero Pepper Sauce, Capsicana Zing Gourmet Sauce (comes with recipes!), and Nando's Extra Mild Lemon Peri Peri Sauce.

2. Fruits on Fire Gift Set: This gift set is a little hotter, for folks who are ready to take the next step after the Mild Sauces without plunging into the fire. Fruits on Fire features 6 unique and delicious hot sauces that masterfully add fruit to temper the heat of the chile peppers and add food-friendly flavors. Includes a bottle each of Dave's Gourmet Ginger Peach Sauce, Marie Sharp's Grapefruit Pulp Habanero Sauce, Maui Pepper Apples Ass Hot Sauce, Melinda's Mango Habanero Sauce, Toad Sweat Cranberry Dessert Hot Sauce (excellent on turkey, chicken & pork, too!), and Scorned Woman Sweet Majic Hot Sauce made with peaches and apricots.

3. Tortuga Sweet & Savory Caribbean Sauces Gift Box comes with a bottle each of Spicy (but not hot) Seafood Grill Sauce, zippy Mango-Ginger Stir-Fry Sauce, and moderately spicy, award-winning Sweet Heat Caribbean Pepper Sauce, all made in the Caribbean. The festively colorful gift box includes easy recipes, too!

4. NC Mountains Pepper Jelly Gift Box: This lovely white gift box includes 2 jars of your choice of red or green pepper jellies, in your choice of Mild or Hot -- and the Hot isn't really that spicy; after all, these pepper jellies are made in North Carolina, not New Mexico! Our pepper jellies are hand-crafted in the North Carolina mountains using an old family recipe and locally grown & dried peppers, for an old-fashioned sweet & savory condiment that's great with roast beef, chicken or pork, with cheese & crackers, or heated until melted and used as a grilling glaze.

And for the friend or loved one who's a "hot sauce wimp" or simply prefers to avoid all spicy foods, give them our blissfully mild and decadently delicious Sweet Gourmet Gift Set, featuring full-size jars of all-natural gourmet Apple Sauce, old-fashioned creamy Maple Butter, cinnamon-spiced Apple Chutney, and luscious Peach Cocktail MmmMarmalade.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Spiced Almond Cookies

These rich and spicy almond cookies are especially nice during the holiday season with a mug of hot cocoa or apple cider. This recipe makes 6 dozen cookies - plan on starting the recipe at least a couple of hours before you want to bake the cookies, because the dough needs to chill in the refrigerator.

Ingredients
1 cup butter
1 cup packed dark brown sugar (you can use light but I prefer dark)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp real vanilla
2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground allspice
Pinch of ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
Opt: Pinch of freshly ground black pepper (enhances the "punch" of the other spices)
1 cup finely chopped blanched almonds

In a mixing bowl cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla, and beat well. In a separate bowl combine the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the almonds. Stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture, then add the almonds and stir well until thoroughly combined. Use your hands to shape this dough into two 9-inch-long rolls. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap (waxed paper will also work) and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight - the dough needs to be thoroughly chilled.

Preheat oven to 375F degrees. Unwrap a roll, slice into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake about 8 to 10 minutes until done. Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow cookies to cool 1 minute on the sheet before removing. Repeat until both rolls have been sliced and baked.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria
Carolina Sauce Company


Tuesday, December 7, 2010

5 Tasty Food Gift Ideas for Sports Fans & Sportsmen

If you're looking for a unique food gift this holiday season for a sports fan, athlete, or an outdoorsman who loves to hunt or fish, here are some tasty -- and affordable -- ideas from the Carolina Sauce Company:

1. Collegiate Hot Sauces: For the guy who loves his college basketball, football and other college sports, we have several great-tasting Louisiana-style hot sauces bearing the officially-licensed school name and mascot of his favorite team, including UNC Tar Heels Hot Sauce, NC State Wolfpack Hot Sauce, ECU Pirates Hot Sauce, and US Naval Academy Hot Sauce. Looking for a hot sauce from another college? Email us at sales"AT"carolinasauce"DOT"com or call us at 919-286-1080 and we'll see if we can special-order it for you!

2. Gifts for Tailgating: For that special someone who faithfully tailgates before every home game, give them our one-of-a-kind Tailgating Party Gift Set with 9 different sauces, seasonings, condiments and snacks to enjoy with burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, ribs, steaks and more -- only $45! And for the mustard connoisseur we have the Mustard Lover's Gift Set featuring a variety of 5 different mustards ranging from pleasantly piquant and sweet to insanely hot & spicy.

3. Gifts for Watching the Big Game at Home: For that buddy who always invites the gang over to watch the big game on the big flat-screen TV, we have several delicious choices including the Pepper Dog Salsa Gift Box with a jar each of Mild, Medium and Hot southwestern-style salsas, the spicier Pepper Dog Salsa & Rub Gift Box with Hot and Verde (medium) salsas plus a bottle of spicy BBQ Seasoning, our finger-licking-good Wing Sauce Gift Set with 4 different flavors of Buffalo wing sauce plus a bottle of Bleu Cheese dip, and our popular Snack Lover's Gift Set featuring BBQ peanuts, spicy popcorn, hot pickled garlic and spicy Ass-Kickin' Jelly Beans.

4. Gifts for the Sportsman: For the guy who loves to hunt and enjoys wild game, we have a special Hunter's Gift Set with sauces and seasonings that bring out the best in venison and other game (and are also excellent with beef, pork and chicken). If a fisherman or seafood lover is on your gift list, give them our Seafood Lover's Gift Set with 6 different sauces and seasonings to enjoy with fish and seafood, including gourmet crab cake sauce, tartar sauce and cocktail sauce, Blue Crab salsa, seafood seasoning and more!

5. Gifts for the Health-Conscious Athlete who Enjoys Good Food: Who said athletes can't be foodies? If you want a thoughtful and flavorful gift for someone who works out and watches what they eat but also appreciates zesty food, check out our extensive selection of healthy sauces, condiments, seasonings and snacks including Low Sodium and No Sodium products, Low Carb and No Carb sauces, Organic products, Kosher products, and Gluten-Free products.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: Still can't decide what to get as a gift for someone with discriminating taste? Simply send a Carolina Sauce Co. Gift Certificate, and let them pick out the perfect sauces for their palate! Gift certificates are available in many different amounts to fit any budget, and they never expire -- plus we keep a record of them so they can never be "lost."


Monday, December 6, 2010

Spicy Jalapeno-Cheese Crab Dip

This recipe makes a fantastic holiday party appetizer. Serve warm with crackers, pita wedges, baguette slices, or even restaurant-style tortilla chips. If your budget is tight, you can even substitute imitation crabmeat for the real crabmeat - just coarsely shred or chop before using in the recipe.

Ingredients
1 lb crabmeat, picked over for shells
1/2 cup Just My Taste Jalapeno Dip
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack or pepperjack cheese
2 Tbs plain goat cheese (the soft kind) OR cream cheese (if you don't like goat cheese)
1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise (you can use low-fat but NOT fat-free)
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced (you can use hot pickled garlic for extra zest)
1/3 cup chopped onion (I use sweet onion, but you can use any kind)
Juice of 1/2 lemon or lime
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375F degrees. Combine all ingredients EXCEPT the Parmesan cheese, place mixture in a casserole dish or oven-proof serving dish (keep in mind that you'll be serving the dip in the same dish you cook it in), and sprinkle the top with the Parmesan cheese. Bake at 375F until golden brown on top, about 20 to 30 minutes depending on your oven. That's it!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Saturday, December 4, 2010

Best-Selling Hot Sauces, BBQ Sauces, Condiments, etc. for November

November's best-selling products in each product category at the Carolina Sauce Company have now been tallied and posted online. Below are links to each top-ten list, along with one or more highlights from each list. The best-seller lists are a great place to shop for gourmet Christmas gifts and zesty sauces, snacks & seasonings for your holiday menus.

*Best-Selling Gift Sets: You'll give the gift of good taste when you give any of the unique gift sets on this list, such as our new Taste of NC Gift Set featuring a variety of delicious gourmet products made in North Carolina, or our ever-popular Tailgating Gift Set with all the sauces and condiments you need for your game-day cookout or party.

*Best-Selling Snacks & Sweets: If you're looking for a gift for firefighters, you can't go wrong with some Firehouse Nuts, which are premium NC peanuts seasoned with smoked habanero and other zesty spices. And for a quick and elegant holiday appetizer, try any of the best-selling Thomas Gourmet Chutneys in Mango, Apple, Peach and other luscious flavors, all wonderful with baked brie and other cheeses.

*Best-Selling North Carolina Products: Although this list has several NC barbecue sauces, it also includes the peppery Samson's Sauce, a feisty all-purpose hot sauce with an amusing old-fashioned label, and the decadently sweet & rich Lilly's Maple Butter, made from an old family recipe and delicious on pancakes, biscuits, ice cream, in hot cereal and even straight from the jar.

*Best-Selling Hot Sauces: If you need a gift for someone who claims no hot sauce is hot enough, give them Dave's Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce, made with the world's hottest pepper, the Naga Jolokia or "Ghost" pepper. And for the cook who enjoys spicy foods, A Taste of Thai Garlic Chili Pepper Sauce from Thailand is sure to be a hit.

*Best-Selling Barbecue Sauces: If you'd like to introduce someone to North Carolina barbecue sauce, you can't go wrong with Shoog's Authentic NC BBQ Sauce, an eastern NC vinegar sauce that's perfect for pulled pork and for marinating chicken or meat. And if you're looking for a premium tomato-based BBQ sauce for ribs and chicken, you'll love the all-natural, mostly-organic Outta the Park BBQ Sauce, an award-winning rich and tangy barbecue sauce with a little peppery kick - and it's on sale, too!

*Best-Selling Marinades & Dressings: If your holiday cooking plans call for roast beef, pork, chicken, or venison, you'll need a flavorful savory marinade like Ann's Marinade from Durn Good, which will add mouthwatering flavor while tenderizing, too. Ann's Marinade is a favorite among hunters and folks who enjoy wild game.

*Best-Selling Salsa & Relish: If you're entertaining this holiday season, consider including Capone Family Secret Giardiniera on your relish tray or in cocktail sandwiches for authentic Chicago deli flavor. And if you're serving chips and salsa to watch the big game, change things up with Just My Taste Jalapeno Dip, Sauce & Marinade instead of (or in addition to) regular tomato salsa - it's also great for cooking and comes with pages of FREE recipes!

*Best-Selling Mustards & Ketchups: Fans of spicy ketchups are sure to enjoy our 3rd and 8th best-selling condiments, Burning Asphalt Zesty Jalapeno Ketchup and Burning Asphalt Blazin' Habanero Ketchup, racing-themed condiments from upstate New York. And if you're looking for a mustard gift set with a variety of tasty mustards in different styles, you need our Mustard Lover's Gift Set.

*Best-Selling Wing Sauces: One of our newest products, The Distillery Garlic Cajun Wing Sauce, broke into the top ten list last month - in addition to making deliciously garlicky & spicy Buffalo wings, it's also phenomenal with fish, seafood and chicken. And if you need a gift for someone who loves hot wings, give them our popular Hot Wings Gift Set with 4 different wing sauces plus a bottle of Anchor Bar Bleu Cheese Dip.

*Best-Selling Steak Sauces & Pasta Sauces: If steaks or pasta are on the menu this Christmas season, you need to check out the tasty sauces on this list -- such as Mama Thomas Marinara, a traditional Italian style marinara that's wonderful with pasta, bread sticks, fried calamari, bruschetta and more; and the exotic and spicy Melinda's Habanero Steak Sauce, adding Caribbean flair and fire to a classic steak sauce base (and it's on sale, too).

*Best-Selling Rubs & Seasonings: One of my personal favorite dry rubs is almost always on this list, and was our 5th best-selling dry rub last month: Pig Pen's Original Seasoning from Salisbury NC, which is excellent as a BBQ rub and seasoning for ribs, pork butt, chicken, shrimp and even veggies. Another terrific rub comes from upstate New York's famous Dinosaur BBQ Bar & Grill, Dinosaur BBQ Cajun Foreplay Spice Rub, blending zesty Cajun spices with just the right amount of peppery heat.

*Best-Selling Jerks & Curry: As expected, all of the Walkerswood Jerk products from Jamaica are featured on this list -- but if you want to try another really good authentic Jamaican jerk sauce at a price that can't be beat, check out Tortuga Jamaican Jerk Sauce, only $3.99 a bottle!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Friday, December 3, 2010

Fiery Mexican Mole Dry Rub

This intensely flavorful, aromatic and spicy-hot dry rub is inspired by Mexican mole sauce, and is excellent on pork, beef and chicken. If not using right away, store in an airtight container.

Ingredients
1 1/2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Mexican)
1 Tbs dark brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
approx. 1/2 tsp ground chipotle (to taste)
1/8 to 1/4 tsp ground habanero powder (to taste - substitute ground red pepper if preferred)
1/4 tsp chili powder (preferably Mexican)
1/4 tsp Spanish paprika
Dash of ground cloves
Dash of ground cumin
Dash of ground coriander
Dash of ground cinnamon
Dash of ground allspice

Thoroughly combine all ingredients in a small bowl until completely mixed together. Pat onto all sides of raw meat or poultry, then let the meat or poultry sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 2 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate. Grill, broil or roast the meat or poultry as desired.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: No time to make your own dry rub? Check out the wide variety of dry rubs, BBQ seasonings and spice blends available from the Carolina Sauce Company, many of which are currently on sale!


Thursday, December 2, 2010

Top 10 Best-Selling Sauces & Seasonings for November 2010

Here are the top ten best-selling sauces and seasonings across all product categories for the month of November at the Carolina Sauce Company:

1. Matouk's Salsa Picante Hot Pepper Sauce was our top-selling product, and this marks the first time that Matouk's Hot Pepper Sauce has led the top ten list. This is a traditional savory West Indian hot sauce made with plenty of fiery scotch bonnet peppers and a thick mustard base.

2. Castle Sauce finished second last month. Made in Greensboro NC, Castle Sauce is a tangy mustard-tomato all-purpose sauce and condiment that's great for burgers, steaks, fries, onion rings, deli sandwiches and more.

3. Matouk's West Indian Sauce is the milder, subtly sweeter sibling of our first-place finisher, and adds tropical papaya to tame the scotch bonnet heat. Excellent on poultry and seafood!

4. Wells Hog Heaven BBQ Sauce is our best-selling barbecue sauce of all time. This Eastern NC vinegar-based BBQ sauce has no tomatoes and just a touch of spice, and is ideal for pulled pork barbecue or as a marinade.

5. Matouk's Calypso Hot Sauce is packed with rich island flavor and fire. Made in Trinidad & Tobago, Calypso Sauce is wonderful on all sorts of grilled foods and anything that could use some tropical flair (and flare!)

6. A Taste of Thai Garlic Chili Pepper Sauce broke into the top ten list for the first time in November. This spicy sauce is made in Thailand and delivers authentic Thai flavor to your favorite recipes.

7. Scorned Woman Hot Sauce is a classic vinegar-pepper hot sauce that's perfect for everyday use if you enjoy fiery foods.

8. Thomas Sauce, Original: This Piedmont NC barbecue sauce and marinade has plenty of vinegar tang that's mellowed with tomatoes and seasoned with a special blend of spices for authentic Carolina flavor.

9. Georgia Peach & Vidalia Onion Hot Sauce captures the flavors of Southern summertime in a bottle, with sun-ripened peaches and sweet Vidalia onions plus just the right amount of hot pepper for heat without pain.

10. Busha Browne's Pukka Sauce completes our list of the top ten best-selling sauces for November. A perennial top-ten finisher, Pukka Sauce is a flavor-packed all-purpose hot sauce from Jamaica made in the colonial (not Jerk) style. Enjoy it on everything from breakfast eggs to lunch sandwiches to your favorite dinner entree.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: We're in the process of updating the category-specific lists of best-selling products on the Carolina Sauce website, so stay tuned for highlights from those lists in a future post.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Savory Cottage Cheese Latkes

If you want to make something special for Hanukkah, try this rich and tasty alternative to traditional potato latkes. Enjoy these cottage cheese latkes with applesauce, smoked salmon, pickled herring, or even chutney if you wish.

Ingredients
1 cup cottage cheese (you can use low-fat)
3 eggs
1 cup milk (you can use reduced-fat)
1 cup matzoh meal
1/2 to 3/4 tsp salt (can adjust to taste)
1/4 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbs chopped chives
1/2 tsp chopped dill
Canola or vegetable oil for frying

Place cottage cheese in a large bowl and use a hand-held immersion blender to cream it (you can also just blend the cottage cheese in a regular blender and then pour into a large bowl). In a small bowl beat together the eggs and milk, then stir into the cottage cheese in the large bowl. Mix in the matzoh meal, salt, pepper, garlic and herbs. Pour some oil into a frying pan, heat over medium-high heat, then carefully pour 1/4 cup of the cottage cheese batter into the hot oil. Use the back of the ladle or a spoon to flatten the middle of the pancake so that it will cook. Fry for a few minutes until golden brown, then carefully flip over with a spatula to fry the other side for a few minutes until golden brown. Once browned on both sides, remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Repeat with remainder of batter.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Cyber Monday Coupon is Good on Cyber Tuesday!

Just a quick reminder that you can still use our Cyber Monday coupon, CyberBlog2010, to get 10% off the product total when you shop online at the Carolina Sauce Company today, November 30th (also known as Cyber Tuesday). There's no minimum purchase required, and the coupon is good on all products including already-discounted sale items. Simply enter the coupon code CyberBlog2010 in the Coupon field found on the Billing Info screen when you order online. If you prefer to place your order by phone, simply mention the coupon code when we're taking your phone order. But don't delay, as this special Cyber Monday (and Cyber Tuesday) coupon will expire at midnight tonight!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Sunday, November 28, 2010

Cyber Monday Sale & Coupon for Carolina Sauce!

The Carolina Sauce Company is having a HUGE Cyber Monday Sale, and you can save even more when you use our special Cyber Monday Coupon code, which is good through Cyber Tuesday too (that's Tuesday Nov. 30th).

Simply enter the coupon code CyberBlog2010 to get 10% off the product total of your order when you shop online at the Carolina Sauce Company, or mention the coupon code if you place your order by phone. There's no minimum order size, and the coupon is good on already-discounted sale items and gift sets as well!

Looking to save even more money on delicious BBQ sauce, mouthwatering steak sauce, zesty salsa & relishes, flavorful rubs & seasonings, fiery hot sauce and other delectable condiments? Take advantage of our special Cyber Monday Sale prices! Just look for the red sale prices at the Carolina Sauce Company online store, or search the Carolina Sauce Company store for the words "on sale" to bring up a list of all the products currently on sale.

Don't delay, as the CyberBlog2010 coupon will expire on Tuesday Nov. 30, 2010, and the special Cyber Monday sale prices are good only while supplies last!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Saturday, November 27, 2010

Zesty Tomato-Peanut Soup

Tired of turkey leftovers? Try this easy, flavorful and healthier version of peanut soup that's made with a tomato-chicken broth base rather than the more common (and fat-laden) cream base. Feel free to adjust the ingredient amounts and seasonings to your taste. And for a vegetarian version, simply substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth.

Ingredients
1 small onion
1 or 2 garlic cloves, minced
Oil for sauteing (peanut, olive, canola or vegetable oil all work)
2/3 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
4 Tbs tomato paste
3 1/2 to 4 cups chicken broth
1 or more dashes of a simple hot sauce (I use Durn Good Hot Sauce or Mile High Hot Sauce)
Salt & Pepper to taste
Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish

In a large saucepan, saute the onion and garlic in oil until soft. Stir in the peanut butter, tomato paste and chicken broth, and simmer until hot, stirring occasionally. Season with salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste. Serve with a garnish of chopped parsley or cilantro.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Thursday, November 25, 2010

Black Friday Sale at Carolina Sauce Company!

Save money on delicious sauces, seasonings, condiments and snacks during our Black Friday sale at the Carolina Sauce Company online store! Simply look for the red sale prices, or search for the words "on sale" when you search the Carolina Sauce site. Even our hand-made Chile Pepper Soaps from New Mexico are on sale! For your convenience, below are links and descriptions for some of the zesty items currently on sale -- and yes, you can use our current Newsletter coupon to save even more money on sale items!

Bubba's Special Sauce from Eclectic, Alabama, is a spoonably thick and rich tomato & pepper sauce that doubles as a salsa. Excellent at the table and in all your favorite Tex-Mex and Southwestern recipes. Regularly $5.25 a jar, on sale for only $4.99!

Texas Rib Rangers BBQ Seasonings in Mild and Spicy: Authentic Texas dry rubs that add robust flavors to beef and poultry. Ideal for brisket. Regularly $5.30 a bottle, on sale for only $4.75!

Bad Byron's Jubilee Seafood Seasoning adds authentic Gulf South flavor to grilled fish and seafood. Regularly $5.75 a bottle, on sale for only $5.50!

Bailey Farms Chocolate Habanero Hot Sauce is an award-winning fiery hot sauce from North Carolina that's made with the brown-colored chocolate habanero pepper (hence the name). Regularly $5.25 a bottle, on sale for only $4.99!

Blue's Chipotle Mustard Pepper Sauce is a full-bodied, full-flavored hot sauce with a rich, smoky-tangy flavor and food-friendly medium heat. Regularly $6.99 a bottle, on sale for only $6.75!

Burning Asphalt Hot Sauces are racing-themed hot sauces from upstate New York, in Jalapeno, Habanero, Garlic Habanero and Sweet & Hot Garlic. Regularly $4.95 a bottle, on sale for only $4.50!

Burning Asphalt Steak Sauces, racing-themed steak sauces from upstate NY that are brimming with big, bold flavor. The Homestyle steak sauce delivers gourmet flavor with a mildly spicy finish and is on sale for only $4.50 a bottle (regularly $4.99). The zesty Sweet Pepper Steak & Dipping Sauce is excellent for the table as well as for glazing, dipping and marinating, and is on sale for only $4.75 a bottle (regularly $4.99).

D'Vine Foods Muscadine BBQ Sauce is a North Carolina original, a savory & tangy tomato-vinegar-mustard BBQ Sauce enhanced with sweet muscadine grapes. Regularly $5.50 a bottle, on sale for only $4.99!

The Distillery BBQ Sauce from the award-winning The Distillery Bar & Restaurants in upstate NY is incredibly thick and rich with mouthwatering flavor that's bold, sweet, smoky & tangy. Excellent on ribs & chicken. Regularly $5.99 a bottle, on sale for only $5.75!

Durn Good Seasonings are flavor-packed dry rubs & spice blends from NC and come in Original (savory BBQ), Cajun Spice, Island Spice, and Southwest Flavor. Regularly $4.75 a bottle, on sale for only $4.50 each!

Bear-Man Growlin' Grizzly BBQ & Dipping Sauce from upstate NY is an award-winning thick & tangy sauce with mouth-pleasing texture and a big, bold flavor that's great with meat, poultry, venison and other hearty fare. Comes with free recipes, too! Regularly $5.99 a bottle, on sale for only $5.75!

Mama T's Ranch Style Seasoning from Kitty Hawk, NC, lets you add tangy ranch dressing flavor to everything from baked potatoes to steamed veggies to seafood & more. Regularly $5.99 a bottle, on sale for only $5.75!

Mama T's Seafood Seasoned Salt from Kitty Hawk, NC, was developed especially for fish and seafood. Adds delicious savory flavor to seafood breading as well as grilled, steamed or broiled fish & seafood. Regularly $5.99 a bottle, on sale for only $5.75!

Melinda's Habanero Steak Sauce blends fiery Caribbean flavor into traditional steak sauce for an amazing taste sensation. Regularly $3.99 a bottle, on sale for only $3.75!

Mixed Hot Pepper Rings are hand-made in the NC mountains. These spicy pickled pepper rings make a delicious condiment for sandwiches, grilled foods, omelets, and even pizza and nachos. Regularly $5.99 a jar, on sale for only $4.99!

Outta the Park BBQ Sauce is an award-winning, all-natural gourmet BBQ sauce with a rich, flavor-packed tomato base and a pleasantly peppery kick that won't burn more sensitive palates. Regularly $6.50 a bottle, on sale for only $5.99!

Mrs. Picky Fanicky's Peach Cocktail MmmMarmalade is hand-made in rural NC using tree-ripened peaches for sublimely sweet and succulent flavor. Regularly $5.99 a jar, on sale for only $5.75!

Thomas Gourmet Foods Apple Chutney is made in NC using all-natural ingredients and makes a luscious condiment for pork, turkey, chicken and more. Serve with cream cheese or brie and crackers for a tasty appetizer. Regularly $5.99 a jar, on sale for only $5.75!

Thomas Gourmet Foods Cranberry Chutney from NC is a delicious alternative to ordinary cranberry sauce or relish for turkey, duck, chicken, pork chops, roasts and more. Perfect for holiday cooking! Regularly $5.99 a jar, on sale for only $5.75!

Thomas Gourmet Foods Pineapple Chutney from NC adds exotically delicious flavor to holiday ham, pork chops, broiled fish, roast chicken and more. Serve with cream cheese or brie and crackers for a tasty appetizer. Regularly $5.99 a jar, on sale for only $5.75!

Tortuga Hot Caribbean Pepper Sauce is an authentic mustard-based scotch bonnet pepper hot sauce from the West Indies. Regularly $3.99 a bottle, on sale for only $3.75!

Conquering Lion Hickory-Smoked XXX Hot Sauce is hand-made in rural West Virginia from all-natural and organic ingredients and delivers robust smoky flavor with super-hot habanero & cayenne pepper heat. This hard to find hot sauce is regularly $7.99 a bottle, on sale for only $7.50!

Just My Taste Jalapeno Dip, Sauce & Marinade is made in NC using garden-fresh jalapenos and other all-natural ingredients for pure jalapeno flavor and fire. Use at the table and in cooking -- makes an excellent alternative to tomato salsa. Comes with free recipes, too! Regularly $5.99 a jar, on sale for only $5.50!

Little Boy's BBQ Sauces come from Wilson, NC, and are made from old family recipes that capture the essence of North Carolina barbecue. The tangy vinegar-based Chicken Splash makes a flavorful marinade and also works well with pulled pork BBQ. The aptly-named Thick & Tasty BBQ Sauce is sweet & tangy with just a touch of pepper, and is great on ribs and chicken. Regularly $5.99 a bottle, on sale for only $5.75!

Lip-Lickin' BBQ Sauces are Piedmont (western) NC barbecue sauces from Greensboro NC featuring deliciously tangy vinegar-tomato flavor and all-natural ingredients. Comes in Bold & Spicy and Sweet & Smoky. Regularly $4.99 a bottle, on sale for only $4.50!

Pig Pen's Hot & Spicy Seasoning is a seriously fiery-hot BBQ dry rub from NC for pork butt, ribs, roasts, chicken and more. Regularly $5.50 a bottle, on sale for only $4.99!

Tortuga Mango-Ginger Stir-Fry Sauce adds exotic tropical flavor to all sorts of food including stir-fry, seafood, poultry, rice dishes, Chinese takeout and more. Regularly $3.99 a bottle, on sale for only $3.75!

Tortuga Spicy Seafood Grill Sauce delivers authentic island flavor and fire to grilled or broiled fish and seafood. Regularly $3.99 a bottle, on sale for only $3.75!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Carolina Sauce Thanksgiving Schedule

The Carolina Sauce Company will close at 12 noon EST on Wednesday, November 24th for the Thanksgiving holiday, and will remain closed through Sunday, November 28th. You can still place orders online while we are closed, and orders received while we are closed will begin shipping on a "first-come, first-served" basis when we re-open on Monday, November 29th. Although no one will be available to reply while we are closed, please feel free to leave us voicemail (919-286-1080) or to email us (sales"AT"carolinasauce"DOT"com) while we are closed, and we will reply as soon as we can once we re-open on Monday. Best wishes to all for a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: Don't forget to take advantage of our current Coupon Sale, good through Sunday Nov. 29th!


Monday, November 22, 2010

Zesty Cranberry-Ginger Sauce

Why settle for boring canned cranberry sauce this Thanksgiving, when you can easily transform it into this deliciously zesty ginger-spiced version?

Ingredients
1 can (16 oz) whole cranberry sauce
1 tsp grated orange peel
1 Tbs finely chopped crystallized ginger (as finely minced as possible)
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground allspice

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan, stir to combine, then heat on the stove, stirring occasionally, until hot. Spoon over sliced turkey.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: Another excellent alternative to plain cranberry sauce is Thomas Gourmet Cranberry Chutney, an all-natural sweet & savory blend of cranberries, apples, raisins, ginger and spices -- and on sale at the Carolina Sauce Company online store!


Sunday, November 21, 2010

Spiced Apple-Rum Pudding

This is my spicy twist on a traditional old recipe that was a popular dessert in pre-revolutionary Cuba. For authentic old-fashioned flavor (or for more delicate palates), simply omit the hot pepper.

Ingredients
6 large baking apples like Rome or Macintosh, peeled and finely chopped
3 eggs, separated
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbs butter, softened
1 cup finely-ground graham cracker crumbs*
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 pinch to 1/8 tsp ground red pepper (Optional)
1/2 cup dark or spiced rum (you can use regular white rum)

*Note: You can substitute unseasoned bread crumbs and increase the sugar to 3/4 cup

Grease a pudding mold and preheat oven to 350F degrees. In a large bowl combine the apples, egg yolks, sugar, butter, graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon, pepper and rum. Mix well - the mixture will be very thick. In a small bowl beat the egg whites until stiff, then fold into the apple mixture and combine thoroughly. Pour the mixture into the greased pudding mold. Place the mold in a shallow pan of water (this will allow the pudding to steam while it bakes) and bake at 350F for about half an hour to 45 minutes or until pudding is set.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: If you enjoy adding the flavor of apples to Fall and Winter dishes, check out the decadently rich Mrs. Picky Fanicky's Apple Pie MmmMarmalade for desserts and breakfast dishes like hot cereal or pancakes. Thomas Gourmet Apple Chutney and Mrs. Picky Fanicky's NC Chutney combine zesty spices with apples for a wonderfully sweet-savory counterpoint to turkey, pork, roast chicken and more. And for hot sauce fans we have Maui Pepper Co. Apples Ass Hot Sauce, a sweet & spicy hot sauce with fiery habaneros and a splash of rum.


Thursday, November 18, 2010

Carolina Sauce Newsletter: Turkey Tips & Earlybird Holiday Sale!

Earlybird Christmas & Holiday Coupon Sale


It's time for our annual Earlybird Holiday Coupon Sale, ten days only! Add zesty flavor to your holiday cooking and give the gift of good taste this Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, all while saving money when you shop at the Carolina Sauce Company online store now through November 28th. Get 10% off ALL products, including sale items and already-discounted gift sets, when you order at least $45 in products and use the coupon code Blog1110 when you order online (or mention the coupon when ordering by phone). Check out our recently updated and improved sauce & seasoning gift sets, including our NC BBQ gift sets in Mild and Hot, our fiery Hot & Spicy NC Gift Set, our flavorful Hot Wings Gift Set, and our new gourmet Taste of NC gift set. Other popular holiday gifts include the Hunter's Gift Set featuring sauces & seasonings to complement venison and other game, the sublimely delicious Sweet Gourmet Gift Set with old-fashioned marmalade & maple butter & more, our special Kosher Sauces Gift Set from Israel, and the bountiful Tailgating Party Gift Set now at a lower price!

Just remember to order at least $45 in products and enter the Blog1110 coupon in the Coupon field on the Billing page of the online order form. And don't delay: The Blog1110 coupon expires on November 28, 2010!

Greg's Tips for The Best Smoked Turkey Ever


If you want to smoke a turkey for Thanksgiving, here are some surefire tips for the most succulent and deliciously flavorful turkey you've ever had:

*The secret to juiciness is to brine the bird for at least two days. Here are some brine recipes and instructions. If starting with a frozen turkey, you'll need to add a couple of additional brining days. Make sure your brining container is large enough to completely submerge the turkey, and replace any thawing ice packs with new frozen ones to keep the brine cold enough.

*For crispy skin, use paper towels to pat dry the turkey after brining, and before placing the turkey in your smoker rub the skin with olive oil and a poultry rub such as Bone Suckin' Poultry Seasoning or Big Daddy's Superb Herb Seasoning.

*Select a complementary wood for smoking. Pear, apple, cherry or oak are ideal. Hickory and mesquite are too strong for turkey. If you can get wine-barrel wood from a winery, it's excellent!

*Keep the smoker at around 300F degrees, and smoke the turkey until the internal temperature hits 180F. This can take around 5 hours for a 20-lb. bird, but your time will vary depending on the weather, size of bird, etc. DON'T stuff the turkey before smoking - that's a recipe for food poisoning! Cook the stuffing separately for safety.

*Don't be surprised by a puff of of steam when you first cut into the breast of the smoked turkey - that's a sign the bird is moist and juicy. Enjoy your smoked turkey with your favorite sides, such as cranberry chutney or Southern chow-chow relish.

Latest New Products at Carolina Sauce


Our final new products for 2010 are here, and make great unique gifts for fiery-foods fans or foodies:

*Dave's Insanity Private Reserve, 2010 Edition: Dave's hottest Private Reserve sauce to date, featuring the world's hottest pepper (Naga Jolokia) and packed in Dave's trademark wooden coffin with yellow "Caution" tape

*The Distillery Garlic Cajun Wing Sauce: More than just a chicken wing sauce, this rich & zesty, moderately spicy sauce is sure to please garlic-lovers and is great with grilled, broiled or baked chicken, fish, seafood, and rice

Operation Sauce Drop Needs Your Help


Operation Sauce Drop is our non-profit program that sends free gift boxes of sauce to US military personnel stationed abroad. To date, we've shipped over 1,000 free gift boxes to our deployed military, at absolutely NO cost to them. The troops greatly appreciate the free sauces, as you can see from their thank-you notes & photos. Our cost to purchase and ship each free gift box generally runs from $20 to $25, and 100% of all donations received are used SOLELY to pay for the cost of the sauces & shipping. Carolina Sauce pays for all the overhead of the program and also for a portion of the costs of each gift box. Unfortunately, Operation Sauce Drop ran out of money earlier this month, and we currently have a waiting list of 5 troops who have requested gift boxes. We cannot fulfill these requests without your help. Want to send a soldier a taste of home this Holiday season and bring a smile to his or her face? Then please donate to Operation Sauce Drop. You can also shop to support Operation Sauce Drop, where some or all of the purchase price of the products goes straight into Operation Sauce Drop (you get the products you order, and the money you pay is used to send free sauce to the troops). Our troops will thank you for your support!

Find Recipes, Special Coupons, Product Reviews, Zesty News & More


We recently launched the Carolina Sauce Facebook Page to stay in touch with our Fans and provide exclusive benefits including Facebook-only coupons. For access to these special coupons and the latest zesty news, simply visit our Facebook page and click on the "Like" button to become a Fan. You can then click on the Coupons tab and access special offers.

Follow SaucyGlo on Twitter for additional exclusive coupons, the latest food news, & for sharing zesty tips!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Bad News for Fans of Buderim Ginger Bears

Buderim Ginger Bears are Australian gummy bears made with real ginger, and are consistently the best-selling snack at the Carolina Sauce Company. Earlier this month, we sold out of this zippy and addictive ginger candy. When I tried to order more from the importer, however, I was told that the manufacturer in Australia wouldn't have a new batch available until 2011. So unfortunately if you didn't stock up while we still had some Ginger Bears in stock, you're out of luck until after the first of the year. We're sorry for this inconvenience, and rest assured that we intend to re-stock as soon as Buderim has more Ginger Bears to send us.

If you'd like to be notified when Buderim Ginger Bears are available again, just send an email to "salesATcarolinasauceDOTcom" (replace the AT with @ and the DOT with . of course) and ask to be placed on our Ginger Bears waiting list. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Spicy Baked Rice

This spicy, cheesy baked rice casserole from the creator of Just My Taste Jalapeno Sauce & Dip makes a hearty and warming side dish or main course on a chilly autumn evening. Serves 6.

Ingredients
1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
1 14oz can chicken broth (I use organic low-sodium, or homemade broth)
1 cup sour cream (for a lower-fat option, I use fat-free Greek yogurt)
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
1 cup Just My Taste Jalapeno Dip & Sauce
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro (if you don't like cilantro, substitute parsley)
salt & pepper to taste

In a large pot, bring the rice and chicken broth to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Lightly grease a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.

In the pot with the cooked rice, mix the sour cream, Just My Taste, 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, corn & cilantro. Season with salt & pepper and stir well to combine. Transfer the rice mixture into the greased casserole dish and top with the remaining cheese. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350F, until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Monday, November 15, 2010

Final Day to Get FREE Zing Sauce!

Today's your last chance to receive a FREE 5oz bottle of Capsicana Zing Gourmet Sauce when you order $25 or more in products from the Carolina Sauce Company. To get your special coupon code for a free bottle of Zing, simply visit the recently-launched Carolina Sauce Company Facebook page and click on the "Coupons" tab. You can only see the coupon if you're a Fan of Carolina Sauce on Facebook. If you're not already a Fan, simply click on the "Like" button on our Facebook page to become a fan, and then click on the "Coupons" tab and you'll be able to see the special coupon code.

If you already used the coupon with an earlier order but would like to receive another free bottle of Capsicana Zing, you can re-use the same coupon! Simply place another order today of $25 or more in products at the Carolina Sauce online store and enter the same coupon code as before.

Very Important: In order for the coupon code to work, you need to include the 5 oz bottle of Zing Sauce as one of the items in your order -- just like in a regular grocery store, you actually need to "put" the product in your shopping cart for the "cashier" to apply your coupon at checkout.

This special Facebook coupon expires at Midnight TODAY Monday, November 15th, so don't delay!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: Keep checking our Facebook page for upcoming exclusive coupons available only on Facebook, plus recipes, photos, breaking news, and more. And please feel free to leave us your comments, as we love hearing from our fans!


Saturday, November 13, 2010

"New & Improved" Carolina Sauce Gift Sets!

Just in time for the holidays, we've updated a bunch of our zesty sauce gift sets at the Carolina Sauce Company online store to include new and different products -- and we've even reduced some of our already-low gift set prices, too! Among our new gift sets is the Taste of NC Gift Set (pictured on left) featuring a selection of gourmet North Carolina products including an award-winning traditional BBQ sauce for pulled pork or grilled chicken, gourmet crab cake sauce for your favorite seafood, a classic steak & burger sauce from Greensboro NC, old-fashioned pepper jelly hand-made in the Smoky Mountains, a versatile olive oil vinaigrette from the Outer Banks, and more -- all for only $40!

If hot & spicy food is more your style, check out our updated Hot Grilling Party Gift Set (pictured on right) with spicy barbecue sauces, ketchup, mustard, pickles and other cookout condiments and seasonings. We've also updated our NC Hot & Spicy Gift Set to include the award-winning Chocolate Habanero Hot Sauce from Bailey Farms (made with the brown chocolate habanero pepper, not with chocolate) and other North Carolina made hot & spicy products. And for more delicate palates, our Mild Hot Sauces Gift Set now includes a bottle of Nando's Extra Mild Lemon Peri Peri Sauce from South Africa, as well as other gently spicy and full-flavored sauces.

These and all of our other themed gift sets are specially priced at a discount, so you pay less than you would if you bought the gift set products separately. We also have handsomely packaged salsa, chutney, marmalade, mustard and other gourmet gift boxes, too. So whether you're shopping for a Christmas gift, a Hanukkah gift, or for your holiday cooking and entertaining, you're sure to find the perfect set of flavorful sauces and seasonings at the Carolina Sauce Company to fit your budget and please your palate.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Thursday, November 11, 2010

Support Our Troops & Get a Discount!

Today is Veterans Day. If you know a veteran, please take a moment to thank them for their service and sacrifice. If you can take the time or spare a little money to support a worthy cause that helps our veterans, please do so. And if you would like to show your support to our future veterans (active duty military), please consider making a donation to Operation Sauce Drop, our nonprofit program that sends free gift boxes of hot sauce and BBQ sauce to US troops serving overseas. The troops really appreciate receiving a little taste of home, as you can see from their many thank-you notes and photos sent to Operation Sauce Drop donors. Unfortunately, Operation Sauce Drop is currently out of funds and has a waiting list of troops who have requested free gift boxes of sauce. We cannot fulfill these requests until Operation Sauce Drop receives more donations.

Want to help us send a little taste of home to our deployed troops? Please make a donation of $25 or more to Operation Sauce Drop today (Nov 11) or tomorrow (Nov 12), and we will email you a coupon for 10% off the product total of your next order from the Carolina Sauce Company, no minimum order size required, and good through December 31st. It's a win-win this Veteran's Day: Our brave troops get a free gift, and you get a coupon to save you money on your holiday shopping! Thanks in advance for your support.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Spicy Peanut Sauce

November is National Peanut Butter Month, so I thought I'd share this easy Thai-inspired recipe. You determine how spicy to make the sauce by controlling the amount of crushed red pepper flakes. I love sauces with texture so I prefer to use crunchy peanut butter, but if you want a smoother, silkier sauce then use a dash or two of cayenne pepper powder instead of crushed red pepper and creamy peanut butter instead of crunchy. And I certainly recommend using natural peanut butter for best flavor - just make sure to stir it well if the oil has separated, as sometimes happens with natural peanut butter. Serve this spicy peanut sauce over cooked chicken, shrimp, vegetables, tofu, rice or noodles. You can also use it as a dipping sauce for raw veggies, steamed or fried shrimp, chicken fingers, or fried tempeh. Finally, this recipe easily doubles.

Ingredients
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup chicken stock or broth (use vegetable stock or broth for a vegetarian version)
2 Tbs soy sauce
1/2 tsp (or to taste) crushed red pepper flakes (or use a dash/to taste cayenne pepper)
1 tsp minced garlic

Heat the stock or broth and garlic in a small saucepan until hot but not boiling. Stir in the remaining ingredients and thoroughly combine. Remove from heat and serve, or allow to cool and store in a tightly covered jar in your refrigerator (stir well before serving if you refrigerate it).

Zestfully yours,
Gloria
Carolina Sauce Company


Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Super-Easy Garlic Cajun Chicken

One of my favorite jobs here at Carolina Sauce is tasting new products and working with them in my kitchen, coming up with new ways to enjoy different sauces, seasonings and condiments. Greg sometimes gets in on the fun, as was the case yesterday when he made grilled chicken using one of our newest products, The Distillery Garlic Cajun Wing Sauce. Yes, this sauce is really a Buffalo style wing sauce, but from the moment I first tasted it I could tell that it would work really well as a marinade and basting sauce, too. So at my suggestion, Greg put some fresh chicken drumsticks I had picked up at Whole Foods into a gallon-size resealable plastic bag and poured in enough Garlic Cajun Wing Sauce to thoroughly coat the chicken. He sealed the bag, shook it to evenly distribute the sauce, and put it in the refrigerator for a few hours to marinate. Then in the evening he fired up the grill, cooked the chicken over indirect heat, and we enjoyed some of the juiciest, tastiest, garlicky chicken we've ever had. The reason this wing sauce works so well as a marinade and grilling sauce is because the margarine helps to keep the chicken moist while the vinegar adds a nice tang and helps the garlic, pepper and other spices penetrate the chicken for rich flavor in every bite. The little bits of garlic provide a nice texture, and the grilling process keeps the spiciness at a pleasantly mild to barely medium level so your mouth won't burn.

Although Greg used chicken drumsticks and the grill to make this Garlic Cajun Chicken, I'm sure it would work well with chicken thighs, breasts, and of course wings. Likewise, you can probably use your oven or broiler to cook the chicken, instead of the grill. The key is to allow the chicken to marinate in the Garlic Cajun sauce for at least a couple of hours so that the flavors can penetrate the flesh and get sealed in. Although I didn't have time to make some rice yesterday, ideally I would have served the chicken on a bed of white or brown rice. You can serve with more of the Distillery Garlic Cajun Wing Sauce on the side or poured over the cooked chicken (definitely don't use the same sauce you marinated the chicken in - make sure you discard that); however, we found that the grilled chicken was sufficiently juicy and "saucy" that we didn't need to serve with more sauce from the bottle.

If you enjoy garlic and rich, savory flavors, I highly recommend the versatile Distillery Garlic Cajun Wing Sauce, even if you don't eat chicken wings!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Sunday, November 7, 2010

October's Top-Selling BBQ Sauces, Hot Sauce, Gifts & More

The product category lists of Top Ten best-selling sauces & seasonings at the Carolina Sauce Company online store have been updated for October. These lists are a great starting point for your holiday shopping if you're looking for a zesty Christmas gift, or for a delicious new condiment to spice up your Thanksgiving dinner. Here are links to each list plus some highlights in each category:

*Best-Selling Hot Sauces: Two of the hottest hot sauces available, Dave's Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce made with the world's hottest pepper, and the infamous Dave's Ultimate Insanity Sauce spiked with capsaicin extract, finished in 9th and 10th place respectively last month.

*Best-Selling Barbecue Sauces: If you enjoy Carolina pulled pork or chopped pork BBQ, you can't go wrong with Well's Hog Heaven BBQ Sauce, an eastern NC vinegar sauce that's our top-selling barbecue sauce. If you prefer a thicker, richer BBQ sauce for ribs and chicken, you'll love our all-natural Apple Butter BBQ Sauce (5th best-selling sauce), which is perfect for the Fall.

*Best-Selling Marinades & Dressings: Made in Israel using the finest all-natural ingredients, Olio & Spices Pomegranate Teriyaki Sauce was our 7th best-selling marinade and adds Mediterranean pomegranate to traditional Asian teriyaki for an exotic twist of fruit. In 8th place was Mama T's Olive Oil Vinaigrette, a classic herb vinaigrette that's hand-made on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

*Best-Selling Rubs & Seasonings: Our best-selling rub once again was Calhoun's Charcoal Grill Seasoning, a favorite of fans of the old Durkees charcoal seasoning which has been off the market for years. Moving up to 2nd place was Pig Pen's Original Seasoning from Salisbury NC, which is excellent as a BBQ rub for ribs, pork butt, chicken, shrimp and even veggies.

*Best-Selling Salsa & Relish: If you like crab and enjoy a fresh-tasting tomato salsa, you'll love Peppers Original Blue Crab Salsa, made with real Maryland blue crab and our 2nd best-selling salsa last month. And if you're looking for a savory, fiery hot pepper relish for subs, sandwiches, burgers and more, you need to try Mama T's Hot Pepper Relish, a classic deli-style pepper relish from Kitty Hawk NC and our 5th place finisher.

*Best-Selling Jerks & Curry: Our best-selling Jamaican jerk continues to be Walkerswood Traditional Jerk Seasoning, an intensely aromatic and flavorful jerk paste from Jamaica. In 5th place was one of my personal favorites, Nando's Curry Coconut Cooking Sauce, a rich & creamy tropical curry sauce from South Africa.

*Best-Selling Mustards & Ketchups: Our best-selling mustard is made in North Carolina, Bone Suckin' Sweet Hot Mustard, and it comes with a FREE recipe brochure. If you prefer a less spicy, more elegant mustard, you'll love Burning Asphalt White Wine Dijon Mustard from upstate NY, our 6th best-selling mustard last month.

*Best-Selling Wing Sauces: This list was dominated by wing sauces from upstate NY, including the Original and Hot varieties of The Distillery Buffalo Wing Sauces in 6th and 10th places respectively, and the Hot and Sweet & Sour varieties of Tony's Birdland Wing Sauces, in 7th and 8th places respectively.

*Best-Selling Gift Sets: This list is full of tasty Christmas gift ideas ranging from mild to wild. Last month our 9th most popular gift was the Hunter's Gift Set featuring marinades, sauces & a spice rub that complement venison and other game. In 6th place was our Lawyer's Gift Set featuring four hot sauces with legally-themed names like "So Sue Me" and "Lawyer's Breath."

*Best-Selling North Carolina Products: Holding on to 2nd place is Castle Sauce, a classic mustard-ketchup burger & steak sauce from Greensboro NC. Making its first appearance on the top-ten list (in 7th place) is Ole Time Hot Sauce, a vinegar & pepper BBQ sauce from Ole Time BBQ in Raleigh NC that's excellent on pork BBQ and in baked beans and collards.

*Best-Selling Snacks & Sweets: Made from an old family recipe, Lilly's Maple Butter was our 3rd most popular sweet product last month, and it's sublimely delicious on pancakes & waffles, in hot cereal, on toast and even drizzled over apple slices or ice cream. If you like pickles and enjoy spicy foods, our Hot Dill Pickle Chips (5th place) are sure to please -- and a dollar from every jar we sell is donated to Operation Sauce Drop, our nonprofit program that sends free gift boxes of sauce to deployed troops!

*Best-Selling Steak Sauces & Pasta Sauces: One of our newest products, Pickapeppa Brown Sauce, had an impressive debut as our 2nd best-selling steak sauce. And in 5th place was Olio & Spices Red Wine Onion Sauce, a lusciously savory gourmet sauce from Israel that's wonderful with steak, roasts, grilled foods and more.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria


Friday, November 5, 2010

Free Zing Sauce for Facebook Fans!

Visit the recently-launched Carolina Sauce Company Facebook page and click on the "Coupons" tab to see a special coupon code for a FREE 5oz bottle of Capsicana Zing Gourmet Sauce when you order $25 or more in products from the Carolina Sauce Company. Don't forget to include the bottle of Zing sauce as one of the items in your order -- just like in a regular grocery store, you actually need to "put" the product in your shopping cart for the "cashier" to apply your coupon at checkout. This coupon is good through Monday, November 15th, so don't delay!

If you're not already a fan of Carolina Sauce on Facebook, simply click on the "Like" button on our Facebook page to become a fan, and then click on the "Coupons" tab and you'll be able to see the special coupon code.

Keep checking our Facebook page for upcoming exclusive coupons available only on Facebook, plus recipes, photos, breaking news, and more. And please feel free to leave us your comments, as we love hearing from our fans!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria