Top 10 Best-Selling Salsa, Wing Sauce & Condiments for 2013

Salsa, mustard and wing sauce, oh my! Plus ketchup and steak sauce, too! If you enjoy high-quality, great-tasting zesty condiments to liven up your burgers, hot dogs, wings, nachos, steaks, eggs, sausages and more, it's time to try one or more of our best-selling condiments from the Carolina Sauce Company:

1. Gator Hammock Swamp Mustard comes to us from Florida and gets its feisty tang from locally grown hot peppers. Seductively sassy with a mellow tropical sweetness from juicy ripe guavas, this mustard will make your taste buds sing whether you eat it with brats or kielbasa, burgers or hot dogs, ham sandwiches or turkey clubs, salt-sprinkled pretzels or breaded chicken tenders.

2. Bone Suckin' Sweet Hot Mustard is pourable and dippable but still thick enough to spread on sandwich bread. Made in North Carolina using only natural ingredients, it's pleasantly peppery without burning, and gently sweet without cloying. You can also use it for basting ribs and roasts, and add it to recipes like potato salad, egg salad and the like.

3. Pain is Good Honey Habanero Screaming Wing Sauce is a relative newcomer to the Carolina Sauces online store, and yet it was our best-selling hot wing sauce last year. From the makers of the world-famous Pain Is Good Hot Sauces, this fiery-sweet chicken wing sauce delivers big-time in the flavor and heat departments. All-natural and made with olive oil instead of butter or margarine, it will satisfy wing lovers who are ready to move beyond standard Buffalo sauces.

4. Melinda's Black Pepper Ketchup is a far cry from the mass-produced, super-sweet, one-dimensional kid stuff sold in supermarkets. Using only the finest all-natural ingredients and absolutely NO high fructose corn syrup, this superb ketchup boasts true tomato flavor with just the right balance of natural sweetness and savory spice with a pleasantly piquant bite. Take your hamburgers, scrambled eggs, French fries and other old favorites to new heights when you dress them up with this spicy gourmet ketchup.

5. Anchor Bar Original Buffalo Wing Sauce is THE hot wing sauce that began the chicken wing craze some decades ago at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. Medium in heat with that trademark cayenne tang and buttery mouthfeel, this one is the real deal and a favorite of purists when it comes to genuine buffalo wings and buffalo shrimp.

6. Naga Jolokia 10 Hot Wing Sauce raises the stakes when it comes to ultra-hot "suicide wings" made in the Buffalo style. The searing heat comes from the legendary ghost pepper (also called the naga or bhut jolokia chili). But this wing sauce also tastes good, thanks to a rich and zesty blend of tomatoes and specially selected spices. It's made with real butter, too.

7. Walkerswood One Stop Savory Sauce is reminiscent of classic American steak sauces, but with a delightful tropical twist. Bananas and mangoes join the usual tamarind and raisins found in ordinary steak sauces, while nutmeg, allspice and thyme add a touch of Jamaican flair to the basic blend of spices and savory ingredients used in regular steak sauces. The end result is a multidimensional, food-friendly condiment that any steak, burger, roast, chop or other hearty meat would be proud to wear.

8. Dave's Insanity Ghost Pepper Salsa is the latest iteration of Insanity Salsa from Dave's Gourmet, and this time he's taken the heat to new levels of madness with the addition of ridiculously hot ghost peppers. If you are brave enough -- and have a sufficiently strong stomach -- to eat this super-hot salsa, you will be pleasantly surprised to discover that it actually tastes good and is not just about the burn, which builds slowly but steadily with every bite. Other than the heat level, it's a classic tomato salsa that pairs naturally with chips, tacos, nachos, burritos, enchiladas and everything else you like to dress up with hot salsa.

9. Ass Kickin' Habanero Mustard is a southwestern style mustard with a hefty habanero kick. Whole mustard seeds are ground together with horseradish for a powerful sinus-clearing punch, but don't worry, there's a touch of honey to soften the blow and bring everything together into a top-class zesty mustard for everyday use.

10. TIE Peppers Original Blue Crab Salsa and Key West Key Lime Salsa: One of my favorite salsas from a jar is the original Blue Crab Salsa from Peppers. It's a traditional tomato, pepper & onion salsa that's medium in heat and has real Maryland blue crab meat mixed in! Sounds weird? It isn't. It's phenomenally good if you like crab, and is wonderful straight from the jar, with chips, on nachos, in quesadillas or over seafood enchiladas, and even as an alternative to traditional tomato sauce for pasta. Another unusual but delectable salsa is Key West Key Lime Salsa, with a bright citrusy flavor from real Key lime juice. Zesty, sassy and lightly sweet with just the right amount of jalapeno heat, it's refreshing like a warm tropical breeze at the beach -- and it pairs beautifully with salty chips, chicken nachos and more.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Cuban-Style Vinaigrette Dressing

This zesty citrus vinaigrette is very similar to the salad dressing my Mom used on salads when we were growing up, except that she didn't actually combine the ingredients into a dressing. Instead, she would drizzle the salad with olive oil, sprinkle with the spices and seasonings (she used garlic powder instead of raw garlic), finish with freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice and then toss everything together.

The drawback to that approach is that you have to do it every time you make a salad. With my recipe, you end up with almost 2 cups of the Cuban vinaigrette to store in your refrigerator and use on salads, cooked vegetables or cooked seafood over the next few days.

Ingredients
1/2 to 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (preferably a Spanish EVOO)
Juice of 4 limes
1 large garlic clove
1/2 bunch parsley
1/2 tsp Kosher or sea salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Use the side of a chef's knife to crush the garlic clove, then finely mince. Scrape up the garlic and juices and transfer into a lidded pint jar (e.g., a Mason jar). Remove stems from parsley (I store the stems in my freezer for adding to stocks and stews), then finely chop the leaves and set aside. Add the lime juice to the jar, then whisk in the olive oil as you pour it slowly into the jar. I like to start with 1/2 cup of oil and then add more if needed after tasting. Add the remaining ingredients, close tightly with lid, then shake vigorously to combine thoroughly. Taste for balance and adjust the seasonings or add more oil if desired, making sure to shake well after any additions. Your Cuban Vinaigrette is now ready to use. Refrigerate any leftover dressing and shake well before each use.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria
Carolina Sauce Company

Top 10 Best-Selling NC Products for 2013

As our company name suggests, North Carolina products have always been an important part of our business and we are proud to be able to offer a diverse selection of barbecue sauces, rubs, condiments and gifts from the Old North State. The following are the best-selling North Carolina products for all of last year at the Carolina Sauce Company:

1. Wells Hog Heaven BBQ Sauce is not only our best-selling product made in NC, but it's also the best-selling barbecue sauce and top-selling product of all time across all categories at the Carolina Sauces online store. This is a thin and tangy vinegar BBQ sauce from the eastern part of NC, which means it's best enjoyed with pulled pork barbecue or as a marinade for chicken.

2. JohnBoy & Billy's Hot & Spicy Grillin' Sauce is a "hybrid" Carolina barbecue sauce in that it combines vinegar (eastern NC), tomatoes (western NC) and mustard (coastal & "down east" NC) with sugar, spices and hot peppers for a delightfully devilish and fantastically flavorful all-purpose grilling sauce for pork, beef, chicken, seafood or vegetables.

3. Bone Suckin' Rib Rub is made by the same folks who brought us the world-famous Bone Suckin' Sauce, and it features that familiar sweet, savory & sassy flavor profile that's bone-suckin' good. Pat it on roasts, loins, chops, butts, briskets, ribs, chicken, shrimp, and other meats, poultry or seafood, then smoke, grill, roast or bake. Or, sprinkle it on vegetables before or after cooking, or use it as a seasoning for popcorn, french fries, breakfast potatoes or other savory fare.

4. Wells All-Purpose Ribs & Chicken Sauce is the thicker, mellower, tomato-rich sibling of our best-selling NC sauce. Wells came up with this unique slathering and dipping sauce in response to requests from customers who wanted a more substantial sauce to enjoy with ribs, brisket, burgers, chicken, shrimp, and even french fries, onion rings, tater tots, fried seafood, jalapeno poppers, chicken strips and other similar finger food.

5. Bone Suckin' Sauce (original): This is North Carolina's best-known sauce, and it's sold in over 60 countries around the world. All-natural and gluten-free, it is full of tangy-sweet tomato-vinegar flavor with a touch of zippy spice. Made in the western NC aka Lexington style, it's just as good with pulled or chopped pork BBQ as it is with barbecue chicken, grilled shrimp and/or veggie kabobs, and other traditional grilled or smoked fare.

6. Bone Suckin' Mustard is a tangy, spicy and pleasantly sweet mustard with a perky, peppery kick. It's great for dipping, pouring, spreading, and slathering. Bone Suckin' Sweet Hot Mustard is especially nice with ham, ribs, sausages of all types including brats & kielbasa & hot dogs, and also with chips & pretzels, raw vegetables, chicken wings or strips, and anywhere or any way you'd use mustard.

7. JohnBoy & Billy's Original Grillin' Sauce: This is the original, milder version of our second-place sauce, with the same rich mustard-tomato-vinegar-spice flavor but without the heat of spicy chili peppers. Perfect for the whole family, with enough sass to satisfy bolder diners yet mellow enough for more sensitive palates. This is an excellent all-purpose barbecue & grilling sauce for marinating, basting, slathering, mopping, dipping or saucing at the table.

8. Bone Suckin' Thicker BBQ Sauce starts off with the same great-tasting recipe and wholesome, all-natural quality ingredients used in the original Bone Suckin' Sauce, but its thicker, more substantial body means that it will stick to ribs, wings, drumsticks, kabobs and other foods instead of running off like a thinner, more vinegary sauce. The thicker texture also makes it excellent as a burger condiment.

9. NC BBQ Sauce Gift Set, Mild: This very popular barbecue sauce gift comes with three of our most popular, mild North Carolina BBQ sauces including Wells Hog Heaven, the original Bone Suckin' Sauce, and the original JohnBoy & Billy's Grillin' Sauce (representing the distinct eastern, western and coastal Carolina barbecue sauce styles). The gift set also includes a package of meaty, high-protein Bone Suckin' Beef Jerky, made with real American beef that's seasoned with that famous Bone Suckin' flavor.

10. Jim's Own BBQ Sauces, Rubs & Gifts: Hailing from the Triangle area of NC, Jim's Own has been making award-winning barbecue sauces for over a decade, spanning traditional vinegar-tomato Lexington style sauces to tangy Mustard sauce and sweet & spicy Smokey sauce, plus a variety of zesty all-purpose seasoning rubs and a hearty, wholesome chili mix that takes the work out of making homemade chili. Jim's Own also sells gift baskets and gift sets featuring different selections of their products, as well as sturdy two-pocket grilling aprons and 100% cotton t-shirts emblazoned with Jim's Own eye-catching logo.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash with Cumin

The following simple recipe has become Greg's favorite for butternut squash. You could probably substitute sweet potatoes for the squash if you are not on a low-carb diet, or substitute other hard winter squashes like Hubbard, kabocha or West Indian calabaza.

The cumin, garlic and hot pepper make this side dish an excellent option for Mexican or Indian main courses, and it's also appropriate for a vegetarian or vegan meal. Roasted butternut squash is also a good choice as an accompaniment for grilled or roasted poultry or red meat.

To make the butternut squash easier to cut, I recommend peeling it first, using a regular potato peeler. It removes just enough of the hard rind in a thin layer without wasting any of the edible flesh. And once the squash is peeled in this manner, it takes far less effort to halve and cube the squash or trim the ends.

Ingredients
1 medium butternut squash, approx. 2 lbs
2 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves roasted garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp Kosher or sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste (a few twists from your pepper mill)
2 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, as garnish

Peel the squash, cut in half, scoop out the seeds, then cut the squash into small cubes (no larger than 1"). Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss the squash with the olive oil, oregano, cumin seeds, chili powder, red pepper, salt & black pepper until evenly coated. Spread evenly onto a baking sheet or shallow roasting pan in a single layer. Roast at 400°F until fork-tender and golden brown, about 30 to 40 minutes, stirring once or twice for even cooking. Transfer to large bowl, stir in the minced roasted garlic and cilantro or parsley, then serve. Makes 4 servings.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Top 10 Best-Selling Zesty Snacks & Sweets for 2013

Do you enjoy hot & spicy snacks? Then the following list is for you! These are the top ten best-selling zesty, spicy snacks & candy at the Carolina Sauce Company for 2013. They're all currently on sale -- and if you join our VIP Club you get a coupon for an additional 5% off the sale price -- so now's the time to give one or more of them a try.

1. Blair's Death Rain Habanero Potato Chips are deluxe kettle-cooked potato chips dusted with fiery ground habanero pepper powder for a super-spicy, slightly smoky, richly savory and crispy-crunchy snack. These hot potato chips were our most popular zesty snack last year, and unlike store brands they're all-natural and MSG-free.

2. Ass Kickin' Habanero Popcorn is a southwestern-inspired microwave popcorn with a peppery kick and irresistibly good flavor (unlike other hot microwave popcorn brands, which shall remain nameless). Spice up your weekly family movie night or your next game-watching get-together with this fiery popcorn, but whatever you do, don't forget the cold beverages!

3. Blair's Death Rain Jolokia Potato Chips are probably the world's hottest potato chips. Premium potatoes are sliced, kettle-cooked and seasoned with all-natural ingredients (no MSG here) including a generous sprinkling of ground dried jolokia peppers (aka ghost peppers) for an intense heat that's complemented by savory spices including garlic and paprika. Try them if you dare, but be careful because these babies are HOT and surprisingly addictive.

4. Crazy Jerry's Lizard Eyes Habanero Stuffed Olives are the ultimate zesty garnish for martinis, relish trays, pickle dishes, salads, sandwiches and any other setting where you'd normally find pimento-stuffed olives. Plump, tender olives are stuffed with sliced habanero peppers for an unforgettably hot and undeniably tasty snack.

5. Crazy Jerry's Hot 'N' Chile Cheese Dip is the perfect accompaniment for tortilla chips when you're craving some spicy queso dip or peppery cheese sauce. Specially selected cheeses are blended together with diced jalapenos, sweet bell peppers and roasted chilies along with savory seasonings like garlic, onions and tomatoes, for a rich, satisfying flavor. Whether you're dipping chips or crunchy raw veggies like carrot sticks or celery, Crazy Jerry's Chili Cheese Dip is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at home or at tailgate parties and cookouts.

6. Deano's Ranch Jalapeno Chips are a favorite among low-carb snackers because the chips are thinly sliced, crisp-cooked jalapeno peppers instead of the usual potatoes or corn. Pleasantly peppery with cool, tangy Ranch seasoning to complement the jalapeno heat, this zesty snack will satisfy your craving for crunchy chips without ruining your low-carb lifestyle.

7. Ass Kickin' Habanero Jelly Beans look like ordinary jelly beans, but be warned: they're not for kids or anyone with a delicate palate. These jelly beans are spiked with habaneros, but you won't realize it until a few seconds after popping one in your mouth, and then.... POW! If you keep a candy jar on your desk at work and want to stop stealthy candy thieves from eating your goodies when you're not looking, simply fill the jar with these innocuous-looking habanero jelly beans, but don't tell anyone. Problem solved!

8. Ass Kickin' BBQ Popcorn is gourmet style microwave popcorn that's been seasoned with tangy-sweet barbecue sauce flavor for a tempting whole-grain snack the whole family (and all your friends) will love. Mild on the heat scale but at the top of the yumminess chart, be sure to keep your pantry stocked with this BBQ popcorn so that you'll always be ready for movie or game night, or a weekend marathon of your favorite TV show, or late-night study sessions, or long workdays at the office, etc.

9. Bone Suckin' Beef Jerky is all-natural, American beef that's been dried into jerky and flavored with the same all-natural ingredients that have made Bone Suckin' Sauce the most popular BBQ sauce made in North Carolina. This high-protein snack is a favorite of athletes, hikers, paleo followers and carnivores in general.

10. TIE Blair's Death Rain Buffalo Wing Potato Chips and Wasabi Bombs Peanuts: Crispy, crunchy potato chips are seasoned with tangy, peppery Buffalo wing sauce flavorings for a delightfully unique, medium-spicy snack. Dip them in ranch dressing or bleu cheese sauce for a wing-lover's satisfying snack without the mess of eating chicken wings. On the other hand, if sinus-clearing horseradish or wasabi are more your style, then Wasabi Bombs are for you. Plump, premium peanuts are coated with potent wasabi powder for a powerful horseradish punch that won't disappoint.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Zesty Meat Sauce for Spaghetti & Pasta

Spaghetti with meat sauce is a popular, family-pleasing dinner that is always hearty and comforting, but it's also nourishing and healthy when you make the sauce from scratch rather than pouring it out of a jar. Sure, homemade meat sauce takes a bit more time than opening a jar of mass-produced supermarket sauce. But most of the time is merely simmering time rather than hands-on kitchen work, and the superb flavor and peace of mind from knowing what's in the sauce make it worth the time.

My homemade meat sauce is not just for spaghetti of course: Use with any type of pasta including lasagna or stuffed shells, or in casseroles or other baked dishes calling for a tomato meat sauce, or with low-carb alternatives to wheat pasta like spaghetti squash as shown in the photo on the left. I used naturally lean grass-fed organic beef in my sauce, but you can use regular ground beef (be sure to drain off excess fat after browning). Instead of ground beef, you could substitute ground venison or other game meats (e.g., bison or buffalo, elk), ground pork, or a combination of ground meats. For additional variety of flavor, I've suggested alternatives to regular canned tomatoes and tomato paste.

My recipe easily serves 8 or more, and the leftover sauce will keep in your refrigerator for a few days. I bet it will freeze, too, although I haven't tried that. If you're a home canner, make a large batch to can for later use.

Ingredients
2 or 3 Tbs olive oil
1 medium red onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb lean ground beef
1 28oz can diced tomatoes (I used fire-roasted for richer, smoky flavor)
1/2 cup red wine
1 Tbs tomato paste, sun-dried tomato paste OR paprika paste
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp (or to taste) crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Heat the oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add onions and saute until tender and translucent. Add garlic and saute for a couple of minutes until fragrant. Add ground meat and cook, stirring, until browned. **Note: If using fattier meat that renders a lot of grease, carefully pour off the excess fat before continuing with the recipe so that you don't end up with a greasy sauce.

Stir in all remaining ingredients except parsley. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting heat to keep at a gentle simmer, for at least 1 hour or until ready to serve, whichever is longer. As long as you keep the pot on a low, gentle simmer, the sauce can continue to cook for a few hours -- you can also partially or fully cover the pot with a lid and reduce heat to low to keep the sauce from scorching if it's going to sit for several hours. Don't forget to stir from time to time. Before serving, stir in the parsley and taste for balance, then adjust seasonings to taste if necessary. Makes about 7 or 8 cups of meat sauce.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS:  If you want to spice things up, use a straightforward medium to hot savory pepper sauce at the table. Good choices would be Tabasco Sauce, Texas Pete, Busha Browne's Pukka Sauce, or Scorned Woman Hot Sauce.

Top 10 Best-Selling Sauce Gifts for 2013

If you haven't yet bought a Valentine's Day Gift for a barbecue lover or hot sauce fanatic, here are some excellent gift ideas from the Carolina Sauce Company. In fact, these are the ten most popular sauce gifts for 2013, and each of them is perfect for Valentine's Day or any other gift-giving occasion.

1. Design-Your-Own Hot Sauce Gift Box: This sturdy white cardboard box comes ready to fold into shape and to fill with four separately-purchased hot sauce bottles (4oz or 5oz) of your choice to make a unique, personalized hot sauce for your Valentine or any other lucky hot sauce lover. You can decorate the box with a label or stickers, or write on it, or paint it, etc.

2. Matouk's Hot Sauce Gift Set comes with 4 full-size bottles of the most popular flavors of Matouk's hot sauce: The fruity Matouk's West Indian, the zesty Matouk's Calypso, the savory-hot Matouk's Salsa Picante, and the intensely fiery Matouk's Flambeau. It's a great way to experience these thick, rich and fabulously flavorful Caribbean hot sauces all at once at a bargain price -- or to introduce someone to the wonderful world of West Indian hot sauces.

3. NC BBQ Sauce Gift Set, Mild: Anyone who appreciates genuine North Carolina barbecue sauce in all its tangy glory will rejoice (and salivate) upon receiving this BBQ sauce gift featuring full-size bottles of Wells Hog Heaven representing eastern NC, the original Bone Suckin' Sauce representing western NC, JohnBoy & Billy's Original Grillin' Sauce representing down-east mustard BBQ sauces, and a package of all-natural Bone Suckin' Beef Jerky made from real American beef and seasoned with Bone Suckin' flavor.

4. Semper Fi Marine Corps Hot Sauce: "OORAH!" This fiery, all-natural habanero hot sauce is made from the finest ingredients and comes to us from Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Proudly displaying the emblem and motto of the US Marine Corps on its elegant gold foil label, Semper Fi Hot Sauce pays tribute to the brave men and women who serve and have served in the Marines, and is a unique gift for your favorite Marine.

5. 16 Million SHU Pure Capsaicin Crystals Kit: This hot sauce gift looks like something dangerous from a chemistry lab -- and with good reason! The crystals are pure pepper extract in crystallized form, the hottest capsaicin substance known to man (or woman). They'll burn exposed skin, which is why the crystals come in a sealed vial that's packed in an aluminum waterproof carrying case. The kit also includes laboratory-style tweezer forceps and chemical-resistant non-latex gloves for safely handling the crystals, plus a surgical-grade non-latex face mask to keep you from breathing the searing fumes if you decide to cook up some ultra-hot homemade sauces using the crystals. This is the ultimate gift for a heat-craving "mad scientist."

6. Fifty Shades of Red Hot Sauces are a salaciously saucy gift for any fan of the "Fifty Shades of Gray" books. The label features a fiery chili pepper seductively dangled before a waiting open mouth, clearly a play on the iconic image on the book cover. The hot sauces come in two flavors: Red Cayenne and Hotter Habanero. Although the sauces themselves are quite tasty and satisfyingly spicy-hot when enjoyed on food, there may be "other" unconventional ways to enjoy them if you're open to adventure and playing with fire....

7. Blair's 3AM Reserved Extract, Signed Limited Edition is an eye-catching, conversation-starting collector's item coveted by chileheads who enjoy displaying their most prized possessions. The elegant, hand-crafted glass bottle is reminiscent of those used for expensive liqueurs or fine perfumes, and each bottle is sealed with molten Italian resins for an antique "wax seal" look. The famous Blair's skull sits like a crown at the top, and each bottle is hand-signed before being carefully packed in its own gift display box for a truly impressive and memorable gift.

8. Dave's Insanity 2013 Private Reserve Sauce is the hottest Private Reserve Insanity Sauce issued by Dave's Gourmet to date. Each year's limited-edition release has been 3 times hotter than the original Insanity Sauce, and the 2013 edition raised the stakes by using specially selected ghost peppers along with capsaicin extract and jalapeno puree. As always, Dave's Private Reserve comes in a wooden coffin sealed with yellow "caution tape," and each bottle is numbered and hand-signed by Dave himself.

9. BBQ & Grilling Gift Baskets proved very popular with barbecue aficionados and outdoor chefs who enjoy firing up the smoker or grill. The "baskets" are actually reusable galvanized buckets that come packed with a bountiful selection of award-winning barbeque sauces, seasonings & rubs, grilling accessories & tools, and popular grilling, BBQ & smoker cookbooks. Once empty, you can use the buckets to hold hot ashes, or fill with ice to chill your favorite beverages.

10. Hot Sauce of the Month Clubs are gifts that keep on giving, ensuring that the lucky recipient will never have to settle for boring, bland food. Available in 6-month and 12-month subscriptions, each shipment comes with a specially-chosen bottle of hot sauce selected from award-winners, best-sellers and hottest hot sauces.

If you need more ideas for a Valentine gift, simply browse through our Sauce Gifts at the Carolina Sauces online store, or check out our Gourmet Gift Baskets (we even offer bacon gifts through our partner Bacon Freak). We also have Gift Certificates for everything from sauces and condiments to fresh seafood and, of course, bacon.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Spicy Cuban Shrimp with Garlic (Camarones al Ajillo)

Camarones al Ajillo is a classic old Cuban recipe that traces its roots back to Spain. The traditional recipe is audaciously rich and unabashedly garlicky, with even more olive oil and garlic than my zesty version -- and I use more garlic than called for in most modern-day versions found in Cuban cookbooks. The crushed red pepper flakes are my own touch, as Cuban food generally doesn't include hot chilies. You can omit the red pepper flakes, or add more for a hotter dish.

Another change I made to the classic recipe is that I used peeled, deveined shrimp rather than shell-on shrimp, primarily because I was serving this dish to guests and did not want them to have to go through the trouble (and the mess) of peeling the oil-coated cooked shrimp at the table.

Cuban shrimp with garlic sauce traditionally is served with a crusty loaf of bread such as Italian bread or a French baguette, and diners tear off chunks of bread to mop up the pungent sauce. Another traditional presentation for camarones al ajillo is over cooked white rice (I served it over cooked brown rice). For a no-carb or low-carb dinner, you can simply serve the shrimp and sauce in a bowl or over cooked spaghetti squash that has been chopped into short, rice-like strands.

Ingredients
2 lbs raw, peeled & deveined shrimp, preferably large or extra-large
1/2 cup olive oil*, preferably Spanish olive oil
15 large cloves of garlic, peeled
Juice of 2 limes (reserve some of the zest for a garnish)
1/3 cup finely chopped parsley (plus more for garnish)
1/2 tsp Kosher or sea salt
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

*A good-quality virgin or pure olive oil is better than extra virgin olive oil for this recipe because it will stand up better to cooking than will EVOO, but you can also use EVOO.

Using a very sharp knife or a single-edge razor blade if you dare, slice the garlic cloves as thinly as possible (you can also use a mandolin or a truffle/chocolate shaver if you have one -- the goal is to get paper-thin slices without shedding your blood in the process). Heat the oil over medium-low heat until shimmery and fragrant. Add the garlic and cook, stirring regularly for just a few minutes until you can smell the garlic but it has not begun to turn golden, e.g., 3 to 5 minutes max. Bring the heat up to medium, add the shrimp and cook, stirring regularly, until the shrimp just turns pink (about 5-7 minutes). Stir in the remaining ingredients and cook until heated through and all the shrimp is pink but being careful not to overcook -- this should take only another minute or two. Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished with lime zest and/or parsley if desired. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: To see more of my authentic and innovative Cuban recipes and Cuban-inspired creations, visit my Cuban Recipes board on Pinterest.

Top 10 Best-Selling BBQ Sauces for 2013

The following are the top ten best-selling barbecue sauces for 2013 at the Carolina Sauce Company. I bet you'll find one of your favorites here -- and if you haven't tried any of the sauces on this list, I'll bet that once you do, your list of personal favorites will grow.

1. Wells Hog Heaven BBQ Sauce is our best-selling product of all time, across all product categories. Made in the eastern NC town of Burgaw, which is just before you get to Wilmington, it's a genuine vinegar barbecue sauce without any tomatoes or thickeners and a nice touch of zippy spice (without being hot). Ideal for Carolina pulled or chopped smoked pork barbecue, it also doubles as a tangy marinade for chicken.

2. JohnBoy & Billy's Hot & Spicy Grillin' Sauce was created by nationally-syndicated radio personalities JohnBoy & Billy from Charlotte, NC. They've combined the best of North Carolina's three distinct BBQ sauce styles (eastern vinegar, western tomato and coastal mustard) and added hot peppers to create this feisty, finger-lickin'-good "hybrid" sauce that's a little bit thick, a little bit sweet, a little bit sassy, a little bit tangy... and a whole lotta good eats! Prefer a milder, less spicy barbecue sauce with the same great flavor? No worries, keep reading below to find their milder Original sauce later on this list.

3. Wells All-Purpose Ribs & Chicken Sauce is the thicker, tomato-enriched sibling of our top seller. Developed specifically for basting, slathering and mopping during the final 10 minutes of grilling or smoking, it's also excellent for dipping and saucing at the table. Unlike other tomato  BBQ sauces, this one is not overly sweet and instead delivers a rich tomato flavor with a touch of tang and complementary savory spices. Try it with fried shrimp or french fries instead of ketchup for a grown-up condiment!

4. Bone Suckin' Barbecue Sauce most likely is the best-known North Carolina BBQ sauce on the planet, available in over 60 countries around the world. The original recipe is fourth on our list of best sellers, and its family-friendly tangy-sweet tomato & vinegar flavor complements everything from pulled pork BBQ (for western NC or Lexington style barbecue) to grilled chicken, shrimp & veggie kabobs, and more.

5. Fighting Cock Kentucky Bourbon BBQ Sauce is a tangy-sweet, southern-style hot barbecue sauce

made with tomatoes, vinegar, hot sauce, a touch of sugar, a wisp of natural smoke and a healthy splash (or two) of real Kentucky bourbon. Fire up the smoker or the grill and get ready to light up your tastebuds, too!

6. Ole Ray's Apple Cinnamon BBQ Sauce combines old-fashioned autumn ingredients like crisp, sweet apples and warm, earthy cinnamon with all-American tangy tomato barbecue sauce for a rich, homestyle flavor that will complement everything from ribs (beef or pork), roasts, chops and brisket to grilled chicken, shrimp, vegetables, venison and even a big pot of baked beans.

7. Pappy's XXX White Lightnin' BBQ Sauce is a spicy-hot Kentucky style barbecue sauce that's similar to Fighting Cock but adds fiery habanero chiles to the recipe for a powerful peppery punch and bright chili tang. Whether you enjoy it with Carolina smoked pork butt or Kentucky mutton, St. Louis ribs or Texas brisket, all-American grilled chicken or beach-side shrimp & veggie kabobs, you can't go wrong with this barbecue sauce if you enjoy hot & spicy foods.

8. JohnBoy & Billy's Original Grillin' Sauce: This is the mild version of our second-place sauce, with the same palate-pleasing blend of sweet tomatoes, tangy vinegar and zesty mustard but without the fiery burn of hot peppers. Perfect for the whole family and all of your friends, this all-purpose barbecue sauce is guaranteed to be a hit every time.

9. Ole Ray's Kentucky Gold Bourbon BBQ Sauce is a classic mustard-based barbecue sauce like the ones you'll find in South Carolina, Florida, coastal NC and eastern Kentucky, except that Ole Ray's has added real Kentucky bourbon to liven up things and get your juices flowing. Use it as a marinade, grilling or basting sauce, especially with ribs, chicken and seafood.

10. Jim's Own Barbecue Sauce is one of North Carolina's most popular and longest-lived BBQ sauce brands. The original mild Homestyle and the peppery Hot versions are western NC (aka Piedmont or Lexington) style sauces, which means that tomatoes and sugar have been added to the vinegar-spice blend to add a touch of sweetness and a bit more body. Jim's Own also makes a coastal Mustard barbecue sauce that's pleasantly mellow and not heavy on the mustard tang, and a delectable Smokey BBQ sauce with a richer, thicker "classic American" flavor and body that has just the right balance of earthy smoke and Carolina vinegar tang.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria