I am, as I am; whether hideous, or handsome, depends upon who is made judge.
- Herman Melville -
I'd not go as far as calling myself a foodie or food snob although I'll admit to appreciating quality food, presented well. That's not to say I'm a fussy eater. I've been known to eat food dropped in the dirt when other options aren't available and hold the belief that great company can make even the most mundane food great. I value quality though so look for it when possible.
We're all guilty of having food habits. Should we feel guilty though? Isn't it just preference? Yeah, I think so. We like what we like and it's ok if other people don't like what we like, or we don't like what they like. We all like our own things and dislike things we don't like. It makes perfect sense right? 😉
I'm one of those people who likes to pour sauces onto my food and uses chutneys and relishes. I think it adds new and interesting perspectives to the food, a certain depth that might not otherwise be there. Using sauces and relishes means I can eat the same basic foods I like but change them up a little as I need, or please, with the addition of a sauce.
Not too long ago I was on the scout for some new sauces, a hot sauce in particular, and found myself at a very high-end fine-food and produce store called Tony & Marks. I was there based on a tip-off I'd received from a fellow sauce-guy friend of mine and the mission was to find the very sauce you see pictured here. Clearly I achieved mission-success.
This particular hot sauce is by Australian company Handsome Devils Co. and I'd been told it is magnificent. But, you know what? I wouldn't have cared if I'd been told it was average, I'm a sauce guy and, as such, am compelled to seek out sauces including this handsome and devilish sauce and give them a try myself.
Once purchased, for the extremely low price of $2 (AUD), I was eager to put it to the test. Somehow I resisted the urge to open it in the car on the way home and take a swig but later that night I decided to try it on my dinner which was, in fact, breakfast. Well, it was dinner, but I made what a person might usually have for breakfast, for dinner. I made bacon and eggs on toasted sour dough with a side of mushrooms, grilled tomato and avocado.
When the moment came to liberally splash on my new hot sauce I paused a moment figuring discretion is the better part of valour and I'd better test out how hot they meant by hot. For the record, it's hot.
The sauce has a nice smokiness to it and undertones of garlic, smoked paprika, tamarind and cumin along with the sweetness of honey. Of course it's loaded with jalapenos which adds the heat.
It went perfectly on my eggs and I can imagine it going well with anything cooked on the barbeque be it poultry, meat, fish or vegetables. Trust me, I'll be trying them all. It's not the hottest hot sauce I've had but that's ok, I don't like it too hot as I still like to taste the food. It lends a nice flavour though and is perfect to spice up my meals.
Are you a hot sauce kind of person? Do you like spicy foods? Maybe you just add sauces and relishes like the very legit Mrs. Balls from South Africa. Trust me, if you can get some of that you need to do yourself the favour; it's splendid. Feel free to let me know what's up in the comments below, or alternatively, tell me about your hot sauce, spicy food, malfunctions.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
Any images in this post are my own