Hot sauce is having a moment, with sales increased and more home cooks experimenting with chilli flavors in dishes. If you’ve got a bottle sitting at home, but you’re not quite sure what to do with it, read on for these simple and easy ideas.
Stews and Casseroles
If you’re making a dish such as a chili con carne (or perhaps a veggie sin carne), rather than chopping fresh chili simply add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce at the same time that you add the tomatoes to your sauce. Taste to see whether you want more heat (remember, start with less is more so you can build flavor rather than trying to take it away). Hot sauce works in a variety of heavier mains, including chicken casserole, beef bourguignon, and lasagne.
Chocolate Cake
This may sound strange, but it’s worth a try. When making your favorite chocolate cake recipe, the moment you add the eggs to the batter, try a few dashes of hot sauce. Again, less is more, and this certainly isn’t a dish you want to be overwhelmed with chili heat. When done well, the touch of chili helps to strengthen and deepen the chocolate flavors of the cake.
Halloumi
There is something about this Greek cheese that demands a touch of chili. When frying or grilling your cheese, add a few drops of hot sauce over the top (don’t opt for a super-hot sauce for this). The chili and salt in the cheese work beautifully together, and if you’re planning on eating your halloumi with a fresh salad on the side, then this makes an excellent summer dish.
