Spicy Peach-Pecan Vinaigrette

This recipe was inspired by a grilled chicken salad recipe from Whole Foods, which included a peach-pecan dressing. I played with the dressing ingredients and spiced them up a bit. You can use this dressing on grilled shrimp, fish and other seafood as well as with chicken, pork, vegetables & salad. Feel free to adjust the amount of vinegar, oil and hot sauce (or even the other ingredients) to suit your taste.

Ingredients
2 fresh ripe peaches, peeled, quartered & pitted
2 Tbs sherry vinegar or champagne vinegar
1 Tbs canola oil or light olive oil
scant 1/4 cup toasted pecans
1 Tbs chopped candied ginger
1 tsp (or to taste) Dave's Gourmet Ginger Peach Hot Sauce

Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth, adding a tablespoon or more of water if necessary to thin. Taste for balance, and add salt and/or pepper (or more of the hot sauce) if desired. If you prefer a silkier dressing, press through a fine sieve. Use right away or store in a lidded glass bottle in the refrigerator for a few days (shake before using).

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: Use coupon code Peach2010 to save 10% off Dave's Ginger Peach Hot Sauce when you order it from the Carolina Sauce Company, good through the end of the day today, August 31st.

Final 2 Days of August Newsletter Sale & Peach Coupon

Labor Day is only a week away, which means you're running out of time to get all the BBQ sauces, condiments, salsa & relish and other zesty fare you'll need for your cookout or block party. Want to save money on your last-minute shopping? You're in luck, but you need to act fast because our current August Newsletter Coupon expires at the end of the day tomorrow, August 31st. Additionally, National Peach Month ends tomorrow, so our special coupon for peach salsa, chutney & hot sauce also expires at midnight tomorrow. You can either shop online at the Carolina Sauce online store or call us at 919-286-1080 to place a phone order (make sure you have your coupon code handy).

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Virginia Gentleman Bourbon Chipotle Hot Sauce

On the recommendation of a customer, I recently tried Virginia Gentleman Bourbon Chipotle Hot Sauce, and enjoyed it enough to add to our offerings at the Carolina Sauce Company. This sauce is all about well-balanced, rich flavors without the overpowering heat of other hot sauces (I'd rate it about a medium in heat), and with a pleasant tang that's not harsh like some vinegary hot sauces. Reminiscent of a good spicy barbecue sauce, Virginia Gentleman Bourbon Chipotle Hot Sauce has a robust, earthy flavor with just the right amount of smokiness from chipotles. The bourbon is what adds the depth and character to this sauce, without making it taste like booze. This is a meat-eater's hot sauce -- great with steak, ribs, pork chops, venison, hamburgers and grilled or smoked meats -- but you can also enjoy it on roast chicken, smoked turkey, veggie burgers, and grilled vegetables.

If you're tired of hot sauces that punch you in the face with heat or strip your tastebuds with too much tartness -- or that are just plain boring and one-dimensional -- then Virginia Gentleman Bourbon Chipotle Hot Sauce is for you. It's currently on sale at the Carolina Sauce Company, just in time for Labor Day, so now's the time to try it!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: This hot sauce is also all-natural, and has zero carbs (in case you're counting).

How to Get Carolina Sauce Co. Coupons

Folks sometimes ask us how they can get coupons to use at the Carolina Sauce Company online store, so I thought it might be helpful to post here the different ways you can find (and receive!) coupons for special discounts off your favorite zesty products.

1. Sign up for the Carolina Sauce Company eNewsletter: Our FREE newsletter is emailed once a month to folks who subscribe, and each issue is chock-full of zesty information including tips for cooking, grilling and more; a Recipe of the Month; coupons and exclusive sales; brief reviews of the latest new products and other savory news. And sometimes you can even receive one or more free gifts, as those of you who've received our past Halloween newsletters know! Subscribe here to receive the monthly eNewsletter -- and yes, you can unsubscribe anytime, and no, we will NOT share your email with anyone else, ever.

2. Follow SaucyGlo on Twitter: I'll tweet special Twitter-only coupons, usually good only for a day or two -- plus you'll get the scoop on hot news at Carolina Sauce including back-in-stock products, upcoming events, links to recipes, cool restaurants and more. Follow me on Twitter.

3. Read this Blog: I'll post special blog-only coupons here from time to time. Better yet, subscribe to the free RSS feed for this blog and that way you'll find out immediately about blog-only coupons, special Carolina Sauce sales & more. Plus, you'll get recipes, product reviews, updated best-seller lists, etc. to help spice up your life. Simply use the "Subscribe to" fields on the left-hand column, below the click-boxes and above the "Blog Archive."

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Tips for Grilling Salmon

I read a very informative article about grilling salmon by Chris Koetke, dean of the School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College in Chicago, and I agreed with the conclusion that salmon is the perfect fish for the grill. I've been a huge fan of grilled salmon for years: Salmon is rich enough in flavor to be complemented (not overwhelmed) by the flavors of char-grilling, plus its higher fat content and meaty texture help keep it intact during grilling and flipping. Here are some great tips from the article and from my experience:

*Instead of grilling an entire (or very large) salmon fillet, cut the raw fillets into into individual serving portions prior to grilling so that they're easier to flip over.

*Make sure your grill grate is really clean and really hot prior to placing the salmon on it, to reduce sticking and to help create tasty (and eye-catching) char marks.

*If you're going to grill the salmon using just a spice rub (I think that Adams Rib Rubb is excellent on salmon), make sure the fillets are completely dry before seasoning by patting down with a paper towel, then brush lightly with a little bit of olive oil, and then press the seasoning onto the oiled salmon. This will help to reduce sticking.

*If you're marinating the salmon (I personally love Bear-Man Sap-Happy Golden Bear Maple Sauce with salmon), I recommend marinating in a resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator for no more than 2 hours. If making my own marinade at home, I always add some oil (usually olive or peanut) to help keep the salmon moist as it grills.

*Salmon, like other fish, will cook quickly on the grill, especially over high or direct heat. Start skin side up for a few minutes (usually less than 5), then flip to cook the skin side for a few more minutes. The key is to remove the fillets while the middle is still red or dark pink (medium rare), because they will continue to cook after your remove them from the grill. Remember, you can always put the fillet back on the grill for a little longer if needed, but you can never undo overcooking.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Spicy Peach-Teriyaki Chicken

This peachy recipe, which I'm sharing in celebration of National Peach Month, was inspired by one from the makers of Yam Good Sauce.

Ingredients
1/2 cup peach marmalade or preserves (I like Mrs. Picky Fanicky's Peach Cocktail MmmMarmalade)
Dash or two of peach hot sauce, such as Dave's Gourmet Ginger Peach Hot Sauce or Georgia Peach & Vidalia Onion Hot Sauce
3 Tbs Teriyaki sauce
2 Tbs Dijon mustard
1 tsp ground ginger
2 garlic cloves, peeled & minced
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

In a small bowl combine all ingredients EXCEPT the chicken. Place the chicken in a resealable plastic baggie and pour in this marinade, seal the bag and shake to thoroughly coat the chicken. Place in refrigerator and marinade for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Cook the chicken either on the grill or in the oven (pour chicken & marinade into a casserole dish, 375F degrees) until fully cooked. Serve over cooked rice.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: Use coupon code PEACH2010 to save 10% off the Peach Cocktail Marmalade, Dave's Ginger Peach, Georgia Peach & Vidalia Onion Hot Sauce, and all other peach products at Carolina Sauce Company through August 31st!

Carolina Sauce Newsletter: All-American BBQ Extravaganza & Coupon Sale!

Summer's end is fast approaching - how will you be celebrating Labor Day? How about an all-American BBQ, featuring one or more regional favorites! Here's a survey of the major regional styles of BBQ found in the USA, a special coupon for the sauces & seasonings featured below, AND two free gifts! Simply use the coupon code Blog810 to get 10% off the product price when you order any of the following sauces or seasonings through August 31st (and keep reading to find out about the free gifts):

North Carolina: Famous for smoked pork that's pulled or chopped and eaten with thin, tangy vinegar BBQ sauce, NC has two main regional styles. Eastern NC barbecue uses the whole hog and a tart vinegar sauce with little or no tomato or sugar, and a healthy dose of pepper. Representative eastern NC BBQ sauces include Duplin's Finest from Warsaw NC, Ole Time Hot Sauce from Raleigh, Shoogs Authentic NC BBQ Sauce from Burlington NC, and Carolina Cupboard Eastern NC BBQ Sauce from Chapel Hill. Western NC BBQ uses only the pork shoulder (butt), and tomato is added to the vinegar sauce for more body and sweetness while preserving the vinegar tang. Examples include Lip Lickin' BBQ Sauce from Greensboro, Ole Time BBQ Sauce from Raleigh and Carolina Cupboard Western NC BBQ Sauce from Chapel Hill.

Low Country (SC & FL): Tangy mustard-vinegar BBQ sauce is enjoyed on smoked pork in South Carolina, Florida and the low-country (southeastern) coast of NC. Examples include Durham's own Sam Dillard's BBQ Sauce and the award-winning Joe Bud's Everything Sauce made from an old SC recipe.

Alabama: Enjoyed on chicken, fish and even ribs, Alabama has a unique white BBQ sauce made with mayonnaise, vinegar & spices. The most famous is Big Bob Gibson White BBQ Sauce. Prior to smoking or grilling, ribs and other meat are usually seasoned with a savory-sweet dry rub like Big Bob Gibson BBQ Seasoning.

Texas: Slow-cooked brisket is king & beef is the name of the game. Brisket and beef ribs are seasoned with a dry rub before smoking and served with a thick, not-too-sweet savory sauce on the side. Representative dry rubs and Texas BBQ sauces include Texas Rib Rangers Seasonings, and Texas Rib Rangers BBQ Sauces.

Kansas City: Most national brands of BBQ sauce are based on KC style BBQ. Known for slathered beef ribs, Kansas City BBQ sauces are usually very thick, tomato-based sweet sauces (molasses and/or brown sugar are common), often with smokiness. My favorite is far better than any grocery store sauce: Sa-Mokin' Award Winning Championship Recipe BBQ Sauce

Memphis: Also known for ribs, but usually served dry with sauce on the side, although you can also get "wet" ribs with the sauce slathered on. Memphis sauces tend to be tomato based, with some mustard, vinegar & spice for savory flavor. Memphis dry rubs are also savory & spicy. Great examples of both are Corky's Dry Rub and Corky's Memphis BBQ Sauce

***Two FREE Gifts***
When you order any of the above sauces or seasonings using the Blog810 coupon, we'll also send you our exclusive "How To Make Authentic NC BBQ" flyer AND the full-color "Dish This!" catalog from NC Specialty Foods with MORE coupons, all at no additional cost! But don't delay: The coupon and free gift offer expire on August 31, 2010.

Recipe & Coupon Bonus for National Peach Month!
August is National Peach Month, so here's a peachy grilled dessert recipe for your Labor Day cookout: Grilled Sherried Peaches

1/2 cup cream sherry or port
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbs apricot preserves
1 Tbs lemon juice
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
Dash ground cloves
Dash salt
Opt: Dash of Busha Browne's Spicy Hot Pepper Sherry
6 ripe but firm peaches, peeled, halved & pitted

In a small bowl combine all ingredients EXCEPT peaches, set aside. Cut six 10"x8" pieces of heavy-duty foil and make a pouch out of each by folding the edges up around your fist. Place two peach halves in each pouch and add 2 Tbs of the sherry sauce to each pouch. Fold the edges over to tightly seal each pouch. Grill over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes. Serves 6.

***Save 10% off ALL Peach Products with Blog810 Coupon!***

As a bonus for our subscribers, use the current coupon code News810 when you order any of our peach products to get 10% off! This offer is good through Aug. 31st and includes:

Dave's Gourmet Ginger Peach Sauce
Georgia Peach & Vidalia Onion Hot Sauce
Mrs. Picky Fanicky's North Carolina Apple Peach Chutney, including gift boxes
Mrs. Picky Fanicky's Peach Cocktail MmmMarmalade, including gift boxes
Peppers Peach & Vidalia Onion Salsa, including gift box
Thomas Gourmet Peach Chutney, including gift box

Newest Products at Carolina Sauce
Add some zest to your life with our latest arrivals:

*Bad Byron's Jubilee Seafood Seasoning: A festive blend of herbs & spices created especially for grilling fish & seafood -- and ON SALE!

*East Carolina ECU Pirates Hot Sauce: Officially licensed, this tasty cayenne pepper hot sauce is ideal for fans of ECU and perfect for tailgating!

*Scorned Woman Chipotle Garlic Pepper Sauce: Medium-hot and richly flavorful, this robust hot sauce is amazing on all sorts of hearty fare

*US Naval Academy Hot Sauce: Show your Navy pride with this officially licensed Louisiana-style hot sauce - a portion of the proceeds goes to support Operation Sauce Drop!

*Semper Fi Marine Corps Hot Sauce: A favorite at Camp Lejeune, this Caribbean-style habanero hot sauce is fiery & delicious - a portion of the proceeds goes to support Operation Sauce Drop!

Our Troops Say "Thanks for the Sauce!"
Check out the latest thank-you notes & photos from troops who have received free sauce through Operation Sauce Drop, our non-profit program that sends free gift boxes of sauce to US military personnel stationed abroad. To date, we've shipped over 960 free gift boxes to our deployed military, at absolutely NO cost to them. Our cost to purchase and ship each free gift box generally runs from $20 to $25. Want to send a soldier a taste of home 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!

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

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Fiery Chile Pepper Vodka

If you enjoy hot & spicy foods and you drink vodka -- or if you want to make a unique gift for someone who enjoys spicy foods and vodka -- here's a recipe to make chile pepper vodka. It's great in Bloody Marys and other savory drinks, or as an ice-cold shooter, in recipes and in vodka Bull Shots (substitute the pepper vodka for the sherry). You will need to sterilize a 1 liter or 1 quart glass bottle to hold this homemade spirit. Make sure the mouth of the bottle is wide enough for the peppers to fit!

Ingredients
Approx. 2 oz small fresh red chile peppers free of blemishes (long thin peppers work best)
1 liter or 2 pints vodka

Wash the chile peppers and dry thoroughly with paper towels. Use a toothpick to prick little holes all over the peppers, so that they'll release their flavor and heat into the vodka. Slide the peppers into the bottle using a wooden or metal skewer to push them all the way in. Fill the bottle almost to the top with vodka. Cork tightly and leave in a cool, dark place for two weeks to a month, gently shaking the bottle periodically so that the pepper flavor permeates the vodka evenly.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Jalapeno Hush Puppies

Here's my spicy take on a Southern staple. Enjoy!

Ingredients
2 cups yellow cornmeal
2 Tbs flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 Tbs baking powder
Dash (or to taste) of ground red pepper
1/3 cup finely chopped sweet onion
2 to 3 Tbs finely chopped jalapeno (fresh not pickled, de-seeded)
2 cups buttermilk
1 egg, beaten
Vegetable oil or melted shortening, for frying

In a large frying pan or cast-iron skillet pour oil to a depth of 1/2 inch (or use the equivalent amount of melted shortening) and heat until hot but not smoking. While the oil or shortening is heating, combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl, then add the onion & jalapeno, and stir in the buttermilk and egg until well combined. When the grease is hot, drop the batter in by the tablespoon making sure the hushpuppies don't touch. Watch carefully and when browned on 1 side use a slotted spoon or spatula to turn over and brown the other side. When fully cooked, remove each hush puppy with the slotted spoon or spatula and place on a paper-towel-covered plate to drain. Serve hot.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria
Carolina Sauce Company

Both Carolina Cupboard BBQ Sauces in Stock Again!

If you missed my announcement on Twitter earlier this week, here's the news many of you have been waiting for: Both varieties of Carolina Cupboard Barbecue Sauce are finally back in stock at the Carolina Sauce Company! The manufacturer had some production delays this summer but everything's back in order and they were able to re-stock our warehouse a few days ago.

In case you're not familiar with the Carolina Cupboard brand, the Eastern NC BBQ Sauce is the real deal, made with nothing but vinegar, spices, a touch of brown sugar and salt -- no tomatoes, as purists will be happy to note! The Western NC BBQ Sauce is true to the Piedmont, with ketchup and Worcestershire sauce added to the vinegar base and a bit of molasses too. Both sauces are excellent on pulled or chopped pork BBQ, as well as splashed on collards and other greens, and even sprinkled on fries or hushpuppies for a tangy bite. You can also use either Carolina Cupboard barbecue sauce to marinate chicken for grilling, baking or roasting. Labor Day will be here sooner than you think, so stock up today!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Wasabi-Spiced Sweet & Sour Slaw

Here's an Asian-inspired coleslaw with a wasabi kick that's sure to add zip to your Labor Day cookout! Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Ingredients
1 1/2 Tbs Dave's Gourmet Soyabi Sauce
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 Tbs sugar
2 1/2 Tbs peanut oil
1 Tbs sesame oil
1 Tbs fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 Tbs sesame seeds
1 Tbs vegetable stock or chicken stock
5 cups shredded cabbage (green, red or some of each)
1 carrot, shredded
4 scallions OR 6 green onions, thinly sliced (including some of the green)
Opt: 1/3 to 1/2 cup coarsely chopped peanuts

In a small bowl, whisk together the Soyabi sauce, vinegar, sugar, peanut oil, sesame oil, stock, lemon juice and sesame seeds. In a large non-metal bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, carrot and scallions or green onions. Pour in the dressing and toss to thoroughly coat the slaw mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. Stir before serving -- if desired, stir in the chopped peanuts before serving.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Best Way to Thaw Meat

I read an interesting article in the latest issue of "National Barbecue News" that discussed a Dutch study on how best to thaw frozen meat packed in airtight plastic. The study compared defrosting in the refrigerator -- which is popular among consumers and widely recommended as safest -- versus placing the meat packet in cold water. The study found that the "eating quality" of meat defrosted in the refrigerator is lower than that of the meat defrosted in cold water. The reason is that temperature fluctuations in the refrigerator (e.g., from opening the door) cause the thawing meat to refreeze slightly, which damages the texture of the meat as ice crystals melt, reform and melt again. In contrast, meat defrosted in cold water thaws much more gradually and with less temperature fluctuation because water is a better thermal conductor than air. Thus, while both thawing methods are safe, the cold-water method will generally result in meat with better "eating quality" (texture and flavor).

Here are some tips for thawing frozen meat using the cold water method:

*Make sure the meat is packed in airtight (and watertight) plastic - never thaw unpacked meat in water!

*Use only cold water to prevent bacterial growth

*Use the right size container for the amount of meat being thawed: Saucepan for small steak, soup pot for larger or several steaks, small bucket for a roast, etc.

*Plan on 30 minutes per pound of meat, and after about 1/3 of the estimated defrosting time place the water container under a slow-running tap to slowly add fresh cold water (repeat again after the second 1/3 of thawing time)

*Cook the thawed meat as soon as possible after defrosting, and do NOT refreeze thawed meat

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: Looking for an excellent steak seasoning or rub? You can't go wrong with any flavor of Char Crust Steak Seasonings from Al Farber's Steakhouse in Chicago. We also have delicious steak sauces for every palate, ranging from mild but flavorful to fiery-hot.

Bad Byron's Jubilee Seafood Seasoning

Bad Byron's Jubilee Seafood Seasoning comes to us from Beaumont TX and is named after the rare "jubilee" phenomenon that occurs along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. During a jubilee, large numbers of crabs, shrimp, flounder and other fish leave deeper waters and swim along the coastline, where they can be easily harvested. When local folks spot this happening, joyful shouts of "Jubilee!" go out and the bounty is gathered. Spontaneous beach parties and cookouts take place into the wee hours of the morning, and the mouthwatering aromas of grilling fill the air for hours.

Bad Byron's Jubilee Seafood Seasoning captures the zesty flavors of a Gulf South Jubilee celebration and lets you enjoy them anytime at home. Developed especially for seasoning seafood for the grill, you can also add Jubilee seasoning to cornmeal, cracker meal or other seafood breading, and it's even good as a seasoning for fried chicken breading. If you prefer to broil, saute or pan-fry your fish and seafood, you can simply sprinkle on some Jubilee Seasoning prior to cooking. Add this mildly spicy, savory spice blend to the filling for deviled crabs or deviled eggs for delicious results. You can buy Bad Byron's Jubilee Seafood Seasoning online from the Carolina Sauce Company, where it's currently on sale!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Our Troops Say "Thanks for the Sauce!"

Operation Sauce Drop is our nonprofit program that sends free gift boxes of hot sauce, BBQ sauce, salsa & more to US troops serving overseas. To date, Operation Sauce Drop has shipped out over 900 gift boxes -- and the program has become a huge hit with our troops, as you can see from the many thank-you notes and photos that they've sent. If you haven't visited the Operation Sauce Drop Feedback & Photos page in a while, please check it out and see the newest photos and thank-you notes in which our troops express their gratitude for receiving a little taste of home.

Operation Sauce Drop is made possible by donations from regular folks like you, as well as through the Shop to Support Operation Sauce Drop where a portion of the proceeds from each product sold goes straight into OSD. The average cost to send a free gift box of sauce to a deployed serviceman or woman is currently around $25. One hundred percent of all donations received are used only to pay for the cost of the sauces & gift boxes and the cost of shipping. Furthermore, the Carolina Sauce Company donates the labor involved in running the program and contributes a portion of the costs for each gift box. If you would like to send a free gift box of sauce to a member of our armed forces serving far from home, and bring a smile to his or her face, please donate to Operation Sauce Drop or shop to support OSD. Our troops will thank you for your kindness!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Spicy Campground Popcorn

The next time you go camping (or cook on a charcoal grill at home), impress your family and friends with this zesty popcorn cooked over coals! In addition to the ingredients below, you'll need a small saucepan, heavy-duty aluminum foil, some string for tying the popcorn bundles, and two long-handled grilling forks or green sticks. The original version of this recipe comes from Better Homes & Gardens.

Ingredients
1/2 cup unpopped popping corn
1/4 cup butter
3/4 tsp chili powder OR herb seasoning blend (I like Big Daddy's Superb Herb Seasoning)
1/4 tsp garlic salt OR granulated garlic for salt-free popcorn
Dash (or to taste) ground cayenne OR ground habanero for extra-hot popcorn

Combine the butter, chili powder or herb seasoning, garlic salt or garlic, and cayenne or habanero in the saucepan. Place the saucepan on the edge of the grill to melt the butter and keep warm.

Tear off two very large (36" x 18") pieces of foil and fold each in half to make 18" squares. Place your fist in the middle of each square and fold up the sides around your fist to make each square into a pouch. Divide the popcorn evenly in the middle of each pouch, then bring the corners of each pouch together and squeeze tightly to seal the edges -- make sure to leave room in the pouches for the popcorn to pop! Tie a piece of string securely around the top of each pouch and then tie each pouch to the end of the long grilling tool or stick. Use the tool or stick to hold each pouch directly over hot coals (don't let the pouches actually touch the coals) and shake until the corn is popped (about 6 to 8 minutes). Move the pouches onto a safe surface to cool until safe to touch. Remove the saucepan from the grill and stir the butter-seasoning mixture to combine thoroughly. Untie the string and open each pouch, then pour the melted seasoned butter over the popped popcorn, tossing the popcorn to coat evenly. Enjoy!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: For a zesty, salt-free alternative, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of Louisiana Bayou Blend Seasoning in place of all the other seasonings and spices in this recipe.

East Carolina University ECU Pirates Hot Sauce

Are you a fan of the ECU Pirates? Do you like hot & spicy food? If you answered "yes" to both of those questions, then this is the hot sauce for you! Officially licensed and bearing the colors (the label really is purple) and logo of East Carolina University, ECU Pirates Hot Sauce is an honest-to-goodness all-purpose cayenne pepper sauce with a far better pepper flavor and texture than those overly vinegary, watered-down hot sauces you find in grocery stores. Made with all-natural ingredients and delivering savory (not sweet) medium-hot pepper flavor and heat, East Carolina University Hot Sauce is "user friendly" and perfect for adding spicy heat to any food without altering or overpowering its flavor. Ideal as an all-purpose everyday table sauce, you can also use it in your favorite recipes for chili, pulled pork BBQ, buffalo wings, stews, Cajun foods and more. And of course it's a great hot sauce to bring to your ECU tailgate parties for burgers, fries, dips, bloody marys, fried chicken, barbecue sandwiches and even pizza -- a real crowd pleaser that won't burn anyone out. Plus, if you need a gift for an ECU student, alum, faculty, staff or Pirates fan, you can't go wrong with a bottle (or more) of East Carolina U. Hot Sauce. Available now from the Carolina Sauce Company.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: Yes, yes, I'm aware of the fact that we now have hot sauces for UNC, NC State and ECU, but no hot sauce for Duke fans. And if you're a Demon Deacons fan, you've no doubt noticed that we don't have a WFU hot sauce, either. Unfortunately, neither of those schools is currently licensing its name or logo for use on hot sauce. But if that changes and we're able to get a Duke Blue Devils hot sauce or Wake Forest Demon Deacons hot sauce, you can be sure we'll add it to our online store!

Peach Coupon is Good on Gift Boxes

Earlier this week I posted a special coupon for National Peach Month, good for 10% off all peach sauces, salsas and chutneys available online from the Carolina Sauce Company. However, I neglected to include our peach gift boxes as part of this special coupon sale - so sorry about the oversight! The special coupon code, Peach2010, is now also good for 10% off all of our peach gift boxes, which include:

Thomas Peach Chutney Gift Box featuring 2 jars of zesty Thomas Gourmet Peach Chutney

Peach & Vidalia Onion Salsa Gift Box featuring 2 jars of flavorful Peppers Peach & Vidalia Onion Salsa

Mrs. Picky Fanicky's Marmalade & Chutney Gift Boxes, featuring 2 jars of your choice of Mrs. Picky Fanicky's award-winning North Carolina Chutney and Peach Cocktail MmmMarmalade (you can mix & match, or choose 2 of the same)

Simply enter the coupon code Peach2010 on the billing page of the online order system (or mention the coupon if ordering by phone) to get 10% off all peach products in your order including our peach gift boxes, good through August 31st.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

No More Cloudy Iced Tea

A tall glass or full pitcher of freshly brewed iced tea is welcome relief during sweltering summer days -- and when served in clear glass, it can be quite pleasing to the eyes, too, UNLESS your tea is cloudy. I learned the following tips a while back, and by following them when I make iced tea I no longer have cloudy tea.

*Hard water will result in cloudy tea, because of how the minerals interact with the tannins in the tea. If you think (or know) you have hard water, make sure you use filtered water or a bottled water without minerals when you brew your tea.

*If you refrigerate brewed tea while it is still warm, it will probably get cloudy. If you pull out your pitcher of tea from the refrigerator and find that it has gotten cloudy, simply add a little fresh boiling water to clear it up.

I hope this helps you serve refreshingly crystal-clear iced tea!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria
Carolina Sauce Company

Peachy Coupon for National Peach Month!

August is National Peach Month, and here in North Carolina peaches are at their juicy prime. To help you celebrate National Peach Month, we're having a special coupon sale on all of the peach items we offer at the Carolina Sauce Company. Simply use the coupon code Peach2010 to save 10% off the following peachy products, good through the end of August:

Dave's Gourmet Ginger Peach Sauce: This spunky sauce combines sweet peaches with zippy ginger and just a touch of peppery heat for a fusion of flavors that bring out the best in chicken, fish, lamb and pork. You can even use it on vanilla ice cream!

Georgia Peach & Vidalia Onion Hot Sauce: Like southern summer sunshine in a bottle, this gem of a hot sauce is sweet and savory with just the right balance of fruit and spice. Wonderful on pork, poultry, beef, seafood and veggies, you can enjoy this award-winning hot sauce with any meal.

Mrs. Picky Fanicky's North Carolina Apple Peach Chutney: Inspired by an old family recipe, Mrs. Picky Fanicky's blue-ribbon-winning chutney blends exotic spices with mountain-grown apples and peaches to produce a rich and chunky chutney packed with sweet and savory flavors and a peppery medium-hot kick. A wonderful alternative to BBQ sauce for pork or chicken, you can also enjoy this chutney with roast turkey, in sandwiches, on burgers, with cheese & crackers, and more. Comes with a FREE recipe ideas card!

Mrs. Picky Fanicky's Peach Cocktail MmmMarmalade: Like nectar in a jar, this luscious peach marmalade is sublimely sweet with a citrusy tropical twist. Enjoy it over ice cream, pancakes, toast, in hot cereal, over cream cheese with crackers, and even as a condiment for roast chicken or turkey. Comes with a FREE recipe ideas card!

Peppers Peach & Vidalia Onion Salsa: This deliciously unusual salsa is simply wonderful with chips, and as an accompaniment to fish or poultry. Mildly spicy thanks to the judicious addition of jalapenos, this summery salsa is all about great flavor!

Thomas Gourmet Peach Chutney: Eastern spices are harmoniously blended with southern peaches and other all-natural ingredients for a divinely delicious sweet & savory chutney that you can enjoy as a condiment for poultry, pork and seafood. Stir it into chicken salad for a burst of flavor, or spread it on a biscuit or toast as an alternative to everyday jelly or jam. It even makes a mouthwatering BBQ glaze. It's currently on sale, and with the coupon you get an additional 10% off the sale price!!

Remember to use the coupon code Peach2010 when you order any of the above items from the Carolina Sauce Company to receive 10% off the product price, good through August 31st.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Spicy BLT Dip

Do you love bacon? How about BLT sandwiches? And do you enjoy hot & spicy foods? If you answered "yes" to these questions, then this zesty party dip is for you! If you want to cut some of the fat in this recipe, you can substitute reduced-fat sour cream and reduced-fat mayo for the real stuff. You can even use fat-free if you prefer, but the flavor might not be as satisfying. But don't even think of using fake bacon bits instead of real bacon (sorry, vegetarians)!

Ingredients
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
10 to 12 strips of bacon, crisply cooked, drained & crumbled
Salt to taste (optional)
2 Tbs Just My Taste Jalapeno Dip
2 or 3 ripe tomatoes, diced
2 cups (approx.) shredded lettuce
Pita chips, crackers, melba toast or tortilla chips

In a bowl, combine the sour cream, mayo and Just My Taste Jalapeno Dip. Taste to determine whether you want to add some salt, and season accordingly, keeping in mind that the bacon will add some saltiness to the finished dip. Spread the mixture evenly on the bottom of a serving dish, about a quarter-inch deep or so. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon evenly over the mixture, then add the tomatoes in an even layer over the bacon. Top with a layer of shredded lettuce, then serve with the chips or crackers etc. for dipping.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Mustard Coupon Sale Extended through Sunday Aug 8th!

The Carolina Sauce Company has been running a one-day coupon sale today on all mustards and mustard gifts in celebration of National Mustard Day. By popular demand, we're extending the coupon sale through tomorrow Sunday, August 8th! Save 10% off all mustards and mustard gifts today AND tomorrow when you use the coupon code Mustard2010. Simply enter the coupon code in the coupon field on the billing page when you order online. This coupon is now good through Sunday, August 8, 2010, in celebration of National Mustard Day (which is technically today the 7th, but why limit this zesty celebration to just One single day??)

If you want to find out which are my favorite mustards, simply read my earlier post.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Celebrate National Mustard Day: 10% off Coupon!

Today is National Mustard Day! What better way to celebrate than with a coupon for 10% off ALL mustards and mustard gifts at the Carolina Sauce Company online store! Simply enter the coupon code Mustard2010 in the coupon field on the billing page when you order online, and you'll get 10% off all mustards, mustard gift boxes and mustard gift sets in your order. This coupon is only good TODAY, August 7, 2010, in celebration of National Mustard Day, so don't delay and place your order today!

Looking for a new mustard to try? Here are my favorites:

Scorned Woman Mustard: This thick Dijon style mustard has great flavor and texture with little bits of hot peppers, onions and garlic. The medium-hot heat comes from jalapeno peppers, red peppers and habaneros.

Trolly Stop Hot Mustard Sauce: Usually available only from a local hot dog vendor in Wilmington NC, this gem of a mustard is brimming with mouthwatering layers of flavor including a touch of smoky heat from chipotles, a subtle sweetness from honey and pineapple, and a feisty kick from habaneros and ginger. Makes every hot dog, burger or sausage a gourmet experience!

Burning Asphalt White Wine Dijon Dipping Mustard: Creamy and elegantly smooth, this rich Dijon mustard is all about flavor (no heat) and is fabulous on sandwiches, as a dip for veggies or chicken fingers, and as a glaze for ham or chicken. Even kids love this mustard!

You can also check out our list of best-selling mustards for more ideas. Just remember to use the coupon code Mustard2010 to get 10% off today only!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Top-Selling BBQ Sauce, Hot Sauce, Condiments & More for July

The category-specific lists of best-selling sauces and seasonings (BBQ sauces, marinades, hot sauce, snacks, condiments, etc.) have been updated for July at the Carolina Sauce Company online store. Here are some notable rankings (at least one per category), with links to each list so that you can see the top sellers:

*Best-Selling Barbecue Sauces: Moving up from 10th to 7th place is our Apple Butter BBQ Sauce, which has a rich, bold flavor with a luscious apple sweetness and a touch of peppery spice. Wonderful on ribs and other meat as well as chicken, shrimp, veggies & more, this is flavorful barbecue sauce the whole family can enjoy PLUS it's all-natural and has no high-fructose corn syrup. For every jar sold, we donate $1 to Operation Sauce Drop, our nonprofit program that sends free sauce to deployed troops!

*Best-Selling Hot Sauces: Spice up your life with our top-selling hot sauce, Capsicana Zing Gourmet Sauce. Gently spicy and subtly sweet, this zesty all-purpose sauce will add a pleasantly peppery kick to breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes AND it comes with free recipes!

*Best-Selling Marinades & Dressings: In fifth place last month was Thomas Marinade, an old-fashioned "soak" or marinade from Greensboro NC that will tenderize even the toughest cut of meat while enhancing its flavor with a secret blend of herbs and spices. Great with everything from beef and pork to chicken, venison and even shrimp and veggie kabobs.

*Best-Selling Rubs & Seasonings: If you're looking for a versatile seasoning that isn't your everyday chili-powder BBQ seasoning, you'll love Big Daddy's Superb Herb Seasoning, our 7th place finisher for July. Made with aromatic herbs including basil, rosemary and thyme, Big Daddy's Superb Herb adds a gourmet touch to anything you cook.

*Best-Selling Salsa & Relish: If you enjoy fiery foods, you'll love our fiery Habanero Pepper Relish from the NC mountains, which was our 2nd best-selling salsa or relish -- and we donate $1 to Operation Sauce Drop for each jar sold! If you prefer a slightly tamer heat, check out our Mixed Hot Pepper Rings, a deli-style condiment that's great on sandwiches, burgers, omelets and even salads, and currently ON SALE (and came in 5th in July).

*Best-Selling Jerks & Curry: In 4th place was Tortuga Jamaican Jerk Sauce, a savory-sweet and spicy all-purpose jerk sauce that you can splash on served food at the table or use as a marinade - the label has an easy recipe for jerk pork - and it's ON SALE for only $3.75 for a bottle!

*Best-Selling Mustards & Ketchups: It was a Melinda's trifecta in July, with all 3 flavors of Melinda's All-Natural Spicy Ketchups taking the top three spots on this list: the fiery Habanero Ketchup in 1st place, followed by the zesty Jalapeno Ketchup and then the smoky Chipotle Ketchup in 3rd (the Chipotle Ketchup is currently ON SALE!).

*Best-Selling Wing Sauces: The tangy-sweet Tony's Birdland Hot Wing Sauce from Rochester NY moved up a spot to #6 on this list. Not only is it delicious on chicken wings but it's also great as a marinade and basting sauce for grilled or roast chicken or pork, in stir-fry recipes, with shrimp, veggies and more.

*Best-Selling Gift Sets: If you're looking for a unique gourmet gift that's sure to bring a smile as well as please the palate, send one of Mrs. Picky Fanicky's Marmalade and Chutney Gift Boxes featuring your choice of the blue ribbon-winning Apple Pie MmmMarmalade, the zesty North Carolina Apple-Peach Chutney, and/or the sinfully rich Peach Cocktail MmmMarmalade.

*Best-Selling North Carolina Products: Back in the top ten is one of my personal favorites, the tomato-rich and feistily flavorful Outta the Park BBQ Sauce, which was our 4th best-selling NC product last month and is ON SALE! For fans of traditional vinegar-based NC barbecue sauces, Shoogs Authentic NC Barbeque Sauce broke into the top ten in July and delivers real tangy, peppery flavor to pulled pork and more.

*Best-Selling Snacks & Sweets: For folks who appreciate old-fashioned foods and mountain recipes, our sweet and spicy Hot Green Pepper Jelly (9th place in July) from the NC mountains is sure to please. Enjoy it with any grilled food, roast beef or pork or chicken, as a condiment with turkey, or with cream cheese and crackers, and more.

*Best-Selling Steak Sauces & Pasta Sauces: Tired of store-brand steak sauces? Try the 6th best-seller, Walkerswood One Stop Savory Sauce from Jamaica, a rich blend of tropical fruit and Caribbean herbs & spices in a traditional steak sauce base. At only $3.99 a bottle, it's a steal!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

US Naval Academy Hot Sauce

If you or someone you know has ties to the US Naval Academy and loves spicy foods, this is the perfect hot sauce! US Naval Academy Hot Sauce is a classic cayenne pepper hot sauce made in the Louisiana hot sauce style using all-natural ingredients. The heat is about a medium, with a richer cayenne flavor than your typical grocery store hot sauce and without the overly-harsh vinegar bite of lesser-quality brands. Perfect for splashing on any savory dish when you want to add some heat without altering the taste, Naval Academy Hot Sauce is also great for adding to recipes when you want to kick things up a notch while preserving the integrity of the flavors in your recipe. Enjoy it on everything from pizza to burgers to eggs to sandwiches and even in bloody Marys.

Navy Hot Sauce sports the colors and logo of the US Naval Academy and is officially licensed, and for every bottle sold the Carolina Sauce Company donates $1 to Operation Sauce Drop, our nonprofit program that sends free gift boxes of sauces to US troops serving abroad.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Busha Browne's Spicy Tomato Love Apple Sauce in a New Bigger Bottle!

Check out the new, larger 12oz bottle of Busha Browne's Spicy Tomato Love Apple Sauce, also with a spiffy updated look for the label! The recipe is the same delicious flavor: Lots of rich, ripe tomatoes (also known as "love apples"), a touch of cane sugar and a dash of Jamaican spices plus just enough fiery scotch bonnet peppers to heat things up. The ingredients are all-natural, low-carb and very low sodium, making this zesty sauce a healthy addition to everything from your family recipes to your favorite savory dish. Enjoy Busha Browne's Love Apple Sauce as an alternative to ketchup on scrambled eggs, burgers and hot dogs; as a steak sauce and accompaniment to grilled foods; and as a dipping sauce for french fries, onion rings, tater tots and more. Best of all, this larger bottle is now available at the same price as the smaller bottle when you order it from the Carolina Sauce Company, so you get more sauce for your dough!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

July's Top 10 Best-Selling Products at Carolina Sauce

July was an interesting month, with some big shake-ups on several of our best-seller lists as well in our list of Top Ten best-selling products across all product categories at the Carolina Sauce Company. We're still in the process of updating the specific product category lists to reflect July's statistics, but in the meantime here's the list of the over-all top 10 best-sellers:

1. Buderim Ginger Bears was our best-selling product last month, making a dramatic re-entry onto our overall top 10 list after missing the cut in June. These grown-up gummy bears are made in Australia using real ginger, and have a zippy bite that's quite addictive.

2. Walkerswood Traditional Jamaican Jerk Seasoning moved up to 2nd place in July. This is an authentic, intensely aromatic and spicy jerk paste or wet rub from Jamaica, and consistently one of our top selling jerk products.

3. Castle Sauce slipped down from 1st to 3rd last month, but was still our best-selling North Carolina product. Made in Greensboro, this old-fashioned mustard-tomato burger and steak sauce has a mouthwatering flavor with a bit of a kick, and is a favorite of young and old alike.

4. Wells Hog Heaven BBQ Sauce is a genuine eastern NC barbecue sauce made with vinegar, pepper and other savory spices. There's no tomato in this tangy sauce, and it's perfect for eastern Carolina pork BBQ and also as a marinade for chicken.

5. Scott's BBQ Sauce is another genuine eastern NC vinegar-based barbeque sauce with no tomatoes. What sets it apart from the Wells sauce is that Scott's is fiery-hot, with a hefty helping of red pepper to really spice things up. Scott's is a favorite of fans of low-carb diets and can be used as a marinade as well as a hot sauce for cooked greens & veggies, fish, meats, poultry and more.

6. Outta the Park BBQ Sauce returned to our top 10 best-sellers list last month. Made with all-natural ingredients including organic ketchup, this is a thick, tomato barbecue sauce with a peppery finish and is fabulous on all sorts of grilled foods as well as in meatloaf and other recipes.

7. Capsicana Zing Gourmet Sauce is a zesty spice sauce that's subtly sweet and gently spicy (not hot), making it an ideal table sauce for the entire family -- and it comes with FREE recipes!

8. Scorned Woman Hot Sauce is a classic all-purpose vinegar-based hot sauce that's made with several different types of pepper and adds fiery heat to any savory dish without changing or masking its flavor.

9. George's Original BBQ Sauce is an eastern NC BBQ Sauce that adds apples and just a touch of tomato to soften the vinegar tartness with just a hint of natural sweetness. Wonderful with Carolina pork barbecue and as a marinade, George's BBQ Sauce also comes with FREE recipes!

10. Walkerswood Marinade completes our list of July's best-selling products. This authentic Jamaican jerk marinade makes cooking traditional Jamaican recipes a cinch.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria