Marie Sharp's Exotic Sauce

If you enjoy rich flavors with layers of interesting complexity from masterfully blended ingredients, Marie Sharp's Exotic Sauce will make your palate sing. Made with all-natural ingredients including green mangoes, tart tamarind and aromatic spices, Marie Sharp's Exotic Sauce is similar to conventional steak sauces but with a refreshing tropical twist -- including a pleasantly piquant kick from habanero peppers. The result is a bold and elegant sauce and condiment that's tangy-savory with a subtle hint of sweetness and spice.

I find that Marie Sharp's Exotic Sauce pairs beautifully with charbroiled or grilled steak and other hearty meat, as well as with pork chops, roast chicken, grilled tuna, venison and other game. It also complements roasted or broiled vegetables, and you can add it to soups and stews for multidimensional flavor. But don't limit this versatile sauce to table use -- it's also for cooking including basting and grilling. And if you want to add an exotic twist of flavor to burgers and meatloaf, simply add a few splashes of Marie Sharp's Exotic Sauce to the raw ground meat before forming patties or the loaf. Perhaps what is most amazing about this tasty condiment is that the flavor is so satisfying despite a very low sodium content of less than 1 mg per teaspoon. So go ahead and indulge your tastebuds by treating yourself to Marie Sharp's Exotic Sauce, especially while it's on sale at the Carolina Sauce Company online store for only $3.99 a bottle!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

4 Easy Crunchy Snacks for the Big Game

Make these crunchy snacks anytime you want a tastier, healthier alternative to store-bought chips.

1. Tortilla Chips: Use corn tortillas and cut into triangles. Spray with vegetable oil cooking spray and if desired sprinkle with kosher salt and/or chili powder. Bake at 400F degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until crispy & golden

2. Sweet Potato Chips: Wash & thoroughly dry 1 or more sweet potatoes. Very thinly slice unpeeled sweet potatoes (a mandoline is ideal for this). Spray with vegetable oil cooking spray. Sprinkle with sugar (turbinado or brown sugar are great), a pinch of cayenne or ground red pepper, and Kosher salt. Bake at 400F degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until crispy & golden brown

3. Pita Chips: Cut pita bread into triangles. Spray with olive oil cooking spray OR brush lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese (the real stuff is best) or crumbled feta cheese, Italian herb blend seasoning or dried oregano, and black pepper (cracked or freshly ground is great). Bake at 400F degrees for about 12 to 15 minutes until crispy and lightly browned

4. BBQ Potato Chips: Wash & thoroughly dry 1 or more potatoes. Very thinly slice unpeeled potatoes (a mandoline is ideal for this). Spray with vegetable oil cooking spray. Sprinkle with your favorite BBQ dry rub (a sweet & savory one works best - I like Smokin' Cole's BBQ Dry Rub or either flavor of Texas Rib Rangers Seasonings). Bake at 400F degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until crispy & golden

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Carolina Sauce Newsletter: Super Savings for the Big Game & Valentine's Day!

Super Sale Coupon

Planning a party to watch the big game, or need something to bring to a party? Cooking a romantic Valentine's dinner for your sweetheart, or need a zesty gift? You'll find what you need at the Carolina Sauce Company, AND with our Super Coupon you'll get 10% off EVERYTHING, including already-discounted sale items! Simply order at least $40 in products and use coupon code SuperBlog2010, and we'll give you 10% off the product total through February 14th. Enter the coupon online in the "coupon code" section of the billing page, or mention the coupon when ordering by phone. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

For Saints fans, there's Who Dat? Hot Sauce from Louisiana.

For college basketball fans, we have UNC Tarheels Hot Sauce and NC State Wolfpack Hot Sauce

For romantics, check out our Hot & Saucy Gift Set

And if you're not in the mood for love, we even have a Love Stinks gift set!

Don't delay - the Super Coupon SuperBlog2010 expires on Valentine's Day, February 14th!

Zesty New Products
The first new products of 2010 have arrived, and chances are if you're a sports fan or love hot sauce, you'll get a kick out of a few of these! Here's what's new:

Susie's Burning Desire Hot Sauce, a fiery mustard & scotch bonnet pepper hot sauce from Antigua, West Indies

Susie's Mango Mandingo Hot Sauce, made with succulent ripe mangoes and just a touch of Caribbean chile peppers

Marie Sharp's Exotic Sauce, a savory-sweet tropical steak sauce & condiment from Belize that features island fruits & spices with a touch of habanero

No Wimps Allowed Hot Sauce, an ultra-hot Caribbean hot sauce that's not for the faint of heart or tongue

Bone Suckin' HOT Seasoning & Rub, the fiery version of a favorite NC rib rub & BBQ seasoning

Iguana Red Cayenne Pepper Sauce, a rich & flavorful medium-hot cayenne sauce made in the Caribbean style

Who Dat Hot Sauce, a classic Louisiana pepper sauce that's great on everything and was inspired by the Saints

NC State Wolfpack Hot Sauce and UNC Tarheels Hot Sauce, all-natural cayenne hot sauces that are officially licensed by and sport the colors & logos of these ACC rivals

Operation Sauce Drop for US Troops Overseas

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 almost 900 free gift boxes to our deployed military. Since the US Postal Service raised its package rates, the cost to purchase and ship each free gift box is now over $20. The troops really appreciate the free sauce, as you can see from the thank-you notes to donors and photos they've sent in. 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).

Send Valentine's Day Flowers, Wine, Lobster, Steak & More



This Valentine's Day, say "I love you" with fresh flower bouquets direct from the grower, and send florist-arranged flowers of the highest quality, all at a reasonable price. Next-day and even same-day delivery options available! For that extra-special touch, personalize your floral gift with your own digital photo and card by selecting a "PhotoBlooms" gift. Need a Valentine's gift for a wine enthusiast? Shop now and save on wine acessories and wine cellars . For a special gourmet gift, select from bountiful gourmet gift baskets loaded with fabulous foods, delightful snacks and candy confections, specialty teas, and more. Want to surprise your love with a romantic gourmet dinner? Order lobster so fresh and sweet, it could only have come from Lobster Gram! Prefer to serve mouthwatering gourmet steaks? We have those, too, from La Cense Beef. You can also send the world-renowned Gevalia coffees and get a FREE Coffeemaker today! Simply click on the boxes above to browse our offerings and select that special gift that says "I love you."

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

NC State Wolfpack Hot Sauce

As promised yesterday, we have a special hot sauce just for fans of the NC State Wolfpack who like spicy food: Meet the NC State Wolfpack Hot Sauce! Officially licensed and bearing the colors and mascot of NC State University, Wolfpack Hot Sauce is an honest, full-flavored and full-bodied red cayenne pepper sauce that blows away those overly vinegary grocery store hot sauces. Like its Carolina-blue rival down Tobacco Road, NC State Wolfpack Hot Sauce is all-natural, savory (not sweet) and medium in heat, making it a versatile all-purpose condiment for spicing up any food without changing its flavor. Perfect as an everyday table sauce, you can also use this hot sauce in your favorite chili recipes, for homemade buffalo wings, hearty stews, Cajun dishes and more. And of course it's a great hot sauce to bring to your tailgate parties for burgers, fries, dips, bloody marys, fried chicken and even pizza -- a real crowd pleaser that won't burn anyone out. Plus, if you need a gift for an NC State student, alum, faculty, staff or other Wolfpack fan, you can't go wrong with a bottle (or more) of NC State Hot Sauce. Available now from the Carolina Sauce Company.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: If NFL football is your game and you're a fan of the New Orleans Saints, then check out Who Dat? Hot Sauce -- a must have for the big game!

UNC Tarheels Hot Sauce

Are you a UNC Tarheels fan? Do you like 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 and logo of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, UNC Tarheels Hot Sauce is a straightforward all-purpose cayenne pepper sauce with a much richer pepper flavor and texture than those overly vinegary grocery store hot sauces. All-natural, savory (not sweet) and medium in heat, UNC Tarheels Hot Sauce is "user friendly" and perfect for adding spicy heat to any food without changing its flavor. Ideal as an all-purpose everyday table sauce, you can also use it in your favorite recipes for chili, buffalo wings, stews, Cajun foods and more. And of course it's a great hot sauce to bring to your tailgate parties for burgers, fries, dips, bloody marys, fried chicken and even pizza -- a real crowd pleaser that won't burn anyone out. Plus, if you need a gift for a UNC-Chapel Hill student, alum, faculty, staff or Tarheel fan, you can't go wrong with a bottle (or more) of UNC Tarheels Hot Sauce. Available now from the Carolina Sauce Company.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: If you hate the Tarheels and love the NC State Wolfpack, don't worry, we have a hot sauce for you, too -- stay tuned to this blog for more info!

Spicy Fruit Salsa

This simple and mouthwatering recipe comes to us from the makers of Nando's Peri Peri Sauces, and is wonderful with chips, nachos and Mexican food, as a condiment for fried or broiled fish or shrimp, and even with roast chicken and grilled meats. You can double or halve the recipe to make more or less, as desired.

Ingredients
1 small red chili pepper of your choice
8 cherry tomatoes cut in quarters
1/2 bunch spring onions, sliced finely [I use scallions or green onions]
1/2 ripe papaya, de-seeded and diced
Juice & zest of half a lime
1/2 ripe mango, peeled and diced
2 tsp Nando's Garlic Peri Peri Sauce
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 Tbs olive oil [I use extra virgin]

Mix all ingredients together and serve.

Note: I like making this salsa ahead of time and letting the flavors meld in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Wasabi-Spiced Guacamole

This is not your granddaddy's guacamole! East meets west in this zesty wasabi guacamole that's great for dipping chips, veggies, peel-n-eat shrimp, and even egg rolls, and also tasty as a sandwich condiment. Serve it at your next football party or tailgating event, but just make sure to warn your guests of its sinus-clearing properties!

Ingredients
1 large avocado or 2 small avocados, peeled, pitted & cut into chunks
1 tsp wasabi powder
1 tsp Dave's Soyabi Sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
Juice of half a lime or lemon
Pinch of ground cayenne, red pepper or habanero powder
Pinch of salt, to taste (you can omit if desired)

Chunky Version: Place all ingredients in a bowl and use a fork or potato masher to mash everything to desired consistency, making sure to combine thoroughly.

Smooth Version: Place all ingredients in food processor and process until smooth.

Use right away, or cover the surface of the guacamole with plastic wrap (to prevent browning) and refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: If you love wasabi, make sure to check out Blair's Q Heat Wasabi Green Tea Sauce, a deliciously spicy and creamy sauce that blends together real wasabi with jalapenos, ginger, cilantro and green tea. Fabulous on Asian and Mexican fare, including sushi, grilled foods, veggies, etc. And instead of boring wasabi peas, try gourmet Wasabi Peanuts as a snack. Save money and enjoy all three great wasabi products when you order the Wasabi Gift Set from the Carolina Sauce Company!

Apple Butter BBQ Sauce is Back!

Hand-made on a family farm in the NC Smoky Mountains, our all-natural Apple Butter BBQ Sauce is lusciously thick with bold, rich flavor that's naturally sweetened with apples and molasses. Starting with a traditional barbecue base of mustard, tomato and vinegar plus savory spices, this country recipe blends in old-fashioned apple butter for an amazing combination of flavors that the whole family will love. Our Apple Butter BBQ Sauce pairs beautifully with ribs (pork and beef) and other hearty meats as well as chicken, shrimp, and even grilled veggies. Call me crazy, but I love to dip corn chips and tortilla chips in it when I'm craving a crunchy savory-sweet snack. Use it in meatloaf, baked beans, stews and other recipes instead of using ketchup, for gourmet results. Kids love it with chicken nuggets, tater tots, baby carrots and other finger food (and there's NO high-fructose corn syrup, so you can feel good about serving it to your family). Heck, it's even tasty on fried shrimp and fish! In sum, our Apple Butter BBQ Sauce is finger-lickin' good for basting, grilling, slathering, dipping, cooking, and even in the crock pot. And it's now back in stock at the Carolina Sauce Company!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: For every jar sold, we contribute $1 to Operation Sauce Drop, our nonprofit program that sends free BBQ sauce & hot sauce to US troops serving abroad.

Tangy Shrimp & Sausage Skillet Dinner

Vinegar-based Eastern NC barbecue sauce is not just for making Carolina style pulled pork BBQ -- you can also use it in recipes, as demonstrated by the following simple country-style recipe. If you prefer hot & spicy foods, simply add the optional jalapeno pepper and use a hot eastern NC BBQ Sauce like our very own, or Scott's Barbecue Sauce if you need a sugar-free sauce. The quantities are flexible, so use your taste preferences (and the number of mouths you're feeding) to adjust as you prefer. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1/2 to 1 lb raw shrimp, shelled & deveined
1 lb beef smoked sausage, cut into 1/4 inch slices
1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
1 medium onion (I use sweet onion like Vidalia), chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
Optional: 1 jalapeno pepper, diced (you can de-seed if you wish)
Eastern NC BBQ Sauce in Mild or Hot
Cooked rice

Brown the sausage, peppers, onion and garlic in a skillet. Drain off any excess grease if necessary. Add the shrimp and enough barbeque sauce to simmer everything (you may want to add more as it cooks). Gently simmer, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes until shrimp is done. Serve over hot cooked rice, with a tossed salad or cooked greens to complete the meal (if serving greens like collards or turnip greens, add a splash of the eastern NC BBQ Sauce to the greens for complementary flavor).

Zestfully yours,
Gloria