Spicy Food
All about spicy food of all kinds - hot sauces, hot chile peppers, snacks, spicy dishes, hot wings, and more - and even bland food!
New! Spicy Food Reviews - Hot Sauces and Spicy Snacks
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #38 - Hot Sauce Festival Chat with Dana Romero
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The Audio Weekly Firecast with Scott Roberts:
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #38 - Hot Sauce Festival Chat with Dana Romero
The Chairman of the most recent Cajun Hot Sauce Festival, Dana Romero, stops by the Firecast for a fiery interview. Dana discusses his ambitious plans for the upcoming International Hot Sauce Festival, which is slated to be held in a different city every subsequent year, plus his concept for a World Hot Sauce Awards. Regular guest Ken Alexander chats with Scott about the proliferation of spicy foods in the mainstream diet, Scott reviews Red CAT-astrophe Hot Sauce made with red wine, and tells you how to achieve bite-through skin in your barbecued chicken.
Links mentioned in the episode:
• International Hot Sauce Festival Facebook Page
• Louisiana Hot Sauce Festival
• Cajun Hot Sauce Festival
• Red CAT-astrophe Hot Sauce
• Ken's Fiery World
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
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Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown - First Round - Intensity Academy Chai Sweet Chili VS. High River Sauces Rogue
Captain Thom's Chili Pepper Co. shockingly had to abandon ship as his incredible Thai Monkey Sauce had gotten blown to smithereens by Jungle Heat's Caribbean Heat in the previous UHSS match-up. Jungle Heat will move onto Round Two just as soon as all of Round One battle are over.
Today's war may be another doozy with potentially ginormous fan bases pitting off against one another. In one corner, we have Intensity Academy Chai Sweet Chili, and in the opposite side of the ring we have High River Sauces Rogue Moruga Scorpion Blood Orange Hot Sauce.
This could be another polarizing brawl, that YOU the hot sauces fans, get to pick the winner.
You have until the End of Day on Friday, June 14, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
McDonald's Bacon Habanero Ranch Quarter Pounder Burger Review
Yep! The world's largest (in terms of sales) fast food chain now has something on their menu with theword "habanero" on it. McDonald's Bacon Habanero Ranch Quarter Pounder is certainly not the first time a major QSR chain has introduced a habanero product. In fact, it was four years ago that I had reviewed a habanero chicken sandwich from pizza outlet Domino's, and other have had the capsicum chinense chile pepper in uses such as wings sauces, among others.
But with the Golden Arches debuting this type of level of spice in a sandwich, it certainly marks a milestone in the proliferation of fiery foods in the mainstream, albeit a relatively lame one...
Yes, I'll cut to the chase. Mickey D's Bacon Habanero Ranch Quarter Pounder is...
Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown - First Round - Captain Thom's Thai Monkey VS. Jungle Heat Caribbean Sauce
It was a relatively easy victory for Heartbreaking Dawns in last week's duel between their 1542 Chocolate Habanero Sauce and challenger Puckerbutt Pepper Co with their extreme heat Voodoo Prince Death Mamba .
Today's battle is ensuing between chilehead favorite Captain Thom's Thai Monkey Sauce, an Asian blend of teriyaki, soy sauce, peanut, wasabi and hot sauce, and their opponent this round, Jungle Heat's full-bodied frenzy of tart, sweet, fruity and oniony toned Caribbean Heat.
Like many of the UHSS match-ups, these two are very different in flavor, so it's up to YOU, the hot sauces fans, to determine the winner of this brawl.
You have until the End of Day on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
Weekly Firecast Episode #37 - Scott Zalkind of Lucky Dog Hot Sauces Interview
The Audio Weekly Firecast with Scott Roberts:
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #37 - Scott Zalkind of Lucky Dog Hot Sauces Interview
One of the hottest new pepper sauce concoctors to hit these parts in a while, Scott Zalkind of Lucky Dog Hot Sauces, drops by and chats with Scott Roberts. Blogger and reviewer Ken Alexander returns from a trip up to the Pacific northwest, the Yukon and Alaska, Scott reviews Fireque Original Kentucky BBQ Sauce, and gives a quick foodie tip about charcoal.
Links mentioned in the episode:
• Lucky Dog Hot Sauces
• Fireque BBQ Website
• Ken's Fiery World
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
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Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown - First Round - Puckerbutt Voodoo Prince Death Mamba VS. Heartbreaking Dawns 1542 Chocolate Habanero Sauce
Two sauces with large online fanbases duked it out in last week's matchup. High River Sauces Grapes Of Wrath took on Jungle Heat Garlic Heat, but Jungle Heat was not hot enough to face High River's massive Wrath.
This time out, it will be newer sauce maker Puckerbutt Pepper Co. with their extreme heat Voodoo Prince Death Mamba going toe-to-toe with Heartbreaking Dawn's flavorful 1542 Chocolate Habanero Sauce.
Like many of the UHSS match-ups, these two are very different in taste, so it's up to YOU, the hot sauces fans, to determine the champion this bout.
You have until the End of Day on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
Weekly Firecast Episode #36 - Insanity with Dave Hirschkop of Dave's Gourmet, Plus Listener Feedback
The Audio Weekly Firecast with Scott Roberts:
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #36 - Insanity with Dave Hirschkop of Dave's Gourmet
Dave Hirschkop of Dave's Gourmet stops by and joins Scott for an interview, and discusses his origins of using chile pepper extract with his famous Dave's Insanity Sauce, how he branched out with super-hot sauces and how he's hit a flavor home run with his distinctive pasta sauces. Scott reviews Spicey Rooster Bourbon BBQ Sauce and dispenses a saucy tip of the week.
Links mentioned in the episode:
• Dave's Gourmet Website
• Spicey Rooster Website
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
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Kevin's Review - Heartbreaking Dawns Strawberry Trail Preserves with Scorpion Peppers
Today I am reviewing Heartbreaking Dawns's Strawberry Trail Preserves which I had asked Johnny McLaughlin to review during the North Market Show back sometime in February.
Its ingredients are strawberries, sugar, cranberries, crystallized ginger, trinidad moruga scorpion peppers, vinegar, garlic, mustard powder, and red pepper.
I would give the Strawberry Trail Preserves a...
Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown - First Round - High River Sauces Grapes Of Wrath VS. Jungle Heat Garlic Heat
Talk about a blow-out of mega proporations! Last week's tournament face-off between Ladybird & Friends Ladybird Hot Sauce and Bigfat's 608 Pineapple Habanero Hot Sauce resulted in the most lopsided victory yet in the Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown, with Bigfat's putting some major league hurt on their opponent and advancing to Round Two.
Today's duel will most likely prove to be a bit closer in vote counts as a pair of spicy condiment companies with enormous fan bases go head-to-head. High River Sauces Grapes Of Wrath will duke it out with Jungle Heat Garlic Heat Hot Sauce.
Both products are worthy adversaries with highly differing flavor profiles.
Who will emerge the champ of this bout? Again, it is you, the hot sauce fans, who get to decide! You have until the End of Day on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
Kevin's Review - Lucky Dog Hot Sauces
Today, I am reviewing Lucky Dog Hot Sauce's Mild, Medium, and Hot sauces. Or Green, Red and Orange labels, in that order.
Lucky Dog Mild (Green) Hot Sauce
The first sauce I will now talk about is the Lucky Dog Mild Fire-Roasted Pepper Sauce.
Its ingredients are distilled vinegar, onions, roasted chile peppers, roasted garlic, water, carrot juice, chile peppers, sea salt, sugar, carrots, lime juice from concentrate, and dried chile peppers.
Weekly Firecast Episode #35 - John The Creator Dilley of DEFCON Sauces Chats Chicken Wings and More
The Audio Weekly Firecast with Scott Roberts:
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #35 - John The Creator Dilley of DEFCON Sauces Chats Chicken Wings and More
John Dilley, AKA DEFCON Creator, of New Jersey-based Defcon Sauces, talks to Scott about world domination through buffalo wing sauces! John discusses the origins of his award-winning products, his famous Deathmatch wing-eating contests, his attention-grabbing marketing efforts, how to make the perfect fried chicken wings, and dishes out advice for young, up-and-coming hot sauce companies. Scott also suggests roasting chile peppers in his Foodie Tip of the Week, and reviews Southern Recipe brand Hot n' Spicy Pork Rinds and Cheesy Jalapeno-Flavored Cheese Curls.
Links mentioned in the episode:
• DEFCON Sauces Website
• Southern Recipe Snacks
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
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Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown - First Round - Bigfat's 608 Pineapple Habanero Hot Sauce VS. Ladybird & Friends Ladybird Hot Sauce
It was certainly a case of the underdog David overcoming Goliath in the battle held earlier this week between heavy cult favorite Huy Fong Sriracha and "little guy" Dragon's Blood Elixir Unique Destiny Sauce. As much as foodies go ga-ga the rooster sauce, Dragon's Blood Elixir was able to gather enough votes to emerge as the victor.
The sauces going toe-to-toe this time out will be Bigfat's 608 Pineapple Habanero Hot Sauce and another offering from Ladybird & Friends, their "regular" Ladybird Hot Sauce. 
In this duel, I have no prediction which way it will go. Remember, it is up to YOU to decide!
Vote below! You have until the End of Day on Saturday, May 25, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown - First Round - Huy Fong Sriracha VS. Dragon's Blood Elixir Unique Destiny Sauce
The most recent duel between Puckerbutt Definitely Reaper Puree and CaJohn's Oaxacan Hot Sauce, no pun intended, was a heated one! Puckerbutt possessed a sizable lead through most of the match-up, but in classic Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown style, CaJohn's with their equally classic Oaxacan sauce pulled out ahead to claim a Second Round spot.
Today's duel is going to be an interesting one! The wildly popular and almost cult-like garnering Huy Fong Sriracha Sauce, AKA "Rooster Sauce", is the "Goliath" looming large over the "David" of Chef Doug Crane's Dragon's Blood Elixir Unique Destiny Sauce. 
As you could probably guess, Sriracha is the heavy favorite, as it's now available in the majority of American supermarkets, and it's by far the most "nationally available" of all sauces in the Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown. And although it doesn't have 1/100th of the notority of Sriracha, the absolutely wonderfully-tasting (and, uh, unique) Dragon's Blood Elixir Unique Destiny Sauce is raved about in hardcore chilehead circles, and the "silent hoardes" of diehard hot sauce fans could possibly help Dragon's Blood pull off a victory.
Vote below! You have until the End of Day on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
Patter Fams Starts Kickstarter Campaign For New Wing Sauces
Award winning gourmet sauce company - Patter Fam Sauces, launches their new line of wing sauces! Sure to be a hit on your table soon!
Like many other fiery foods companies, Patter Fam Sauces is hoping to fund their efforts by getting people to donate to their Kickstarter Campaign:
Three New Wing Sauces
Here's what Patter Fams say on their webpage:
"After three years of branding their company as one with high quality and fantastic flavor, they are finally ready to meet the request of our loyal customers and release our three wing sauces.
We have a mild buffalo wing sauce called "Sissy Sally Sauce" With a milder heat and a sweet honey background this sauce is great for those folks that shy away from the hot wing sauces that most people buy.
Our traditional flavor buffalo wing sauce is called "Kickin' It Old School". We have the traditional heat level you're used to with buffalo wings, but we've included our own special proprietary blend of spices and peppers to give this "Old School" flavor a new twist.
Our hot wing sauce is called "Burnin' Love Wing Sauce". It's a hunka, hunka burnin' wings love feast! Using a proprietary blend of peppers, this sauce will get your feet moving and your sweat rollin' as you devour those wings on the plate.:
Kickstarter Page: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/404102673/new-wing-sauce-project
Weekly Firecast Episode #34 - Adam Fehr of Endorphin Farms Talks About Co-Packing Sauces
The Audio Weekly Firecast with Scott Roberts:
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #34 - Adam Fehr of Endorphin Farms Talks About Co-Packing Sauces
Adam Fehr, general manager of Florida-based co-packing company Endorphin Farms, answers questions about using a co-packer and when a young hot sauce or BBQ sauce maker should use a third-party company to bottle their products. Weekly guest Ken Alexander lists what he thinks are the top best hot sauces for beginners, and Scott offers a fiendishly tricky suggestion for his Foodie Tip of the Week.
Links mentioned in the episode:
• Endorphin Farms Website
• Ken Alexander's Fiery World Site
• Tabasco
• Valentina
• TryMe Tiger Sauce
• Sriracha
• Born to Hula
• Frank's RedHot
• Defcon Sauces
• CaJohn's Oaxacan and Quetzalcoatl
• Cholula
• El Yucateco
• Captain Thom's
• Smoke Canyon
• Peppers
• Mike and Diane's Ring of Fire
• Tom's Roid Rippin
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
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Peppers and Chillies Featured on Jamie at Home Season One
British chef Jamie Oliver focused an entire episode of his now-defunct TV series, Jamie at Home, on Peppers and Chiles. Now, most foodies know that peppers and chiles are in fact one and the same type of fruit of the capsicum genus; in this show, Jamie differentiates the two by referring to bell pepper as "peppers", and their smaller, spicier cousins as "chiles" (the British spelling is chillies).
Although this is a few years old, the cooking portions of this episode alone are worth watching.
Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown - First Round - Puckerbutt Definitely Reaper Puree VS. CaJohn's Oaxacan Hot Sauce
Last week's battle between Heartbreaking Dawns' 1841 Ghost Pepper Sauce and Ladybird & Friends' Zeus - The King of Heat Hot Sauce resulted in favorite HBD getting crushed by the Ladybird. The winning Zeus Hot Sauce will move onto round 2, and both HBD and Ladybird have other sauces still ready to duke it out in future Round 1 bouts.
Today's matchup is involves the legendary CaJohn's Fiery Foods with their Mexican-flavored fan favorite Oaxacan Original Sauce and the newer PuckerButt Pepper Company with their unbelievably hot Puckerbutt Definitely Reaper Puree. 
As the last poll showed us, anything can happen when it comes to these Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown wars, so it could be anybody's victory this time! Vote below! You have until the End of Day on Thursday, May 16, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #33 - Derrick Riches of BBQ.About.com Offers Grilling and BBQ Tips and Tricks
The Audio Weekly Firecast with Scott Roberts:
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #33 - Derrick Riches of BBQ.About.com Offers Grilling and BBQ Tips and Tricks
Prepare to go to outdoor cooking school as grilling and barbecue expert Derrick Riches, administrator of one of the most trafficked BBQ websites, bbq.about.com, chats with Scott and reveals all about the art and science of grilling and smoking, and covers everything from how to purchase the best grills and hardware to how to properly cook many types of meat. Regular contributor Ken Alexander gives tips on how to travel with hot sauce and seasonings in order to eat heat on the road. Scott gives a so-simple-it's-ridiculous tip on how to detect a grill's temperature using only your hand, and also reviews Gator Hammock Gator Hot Sauce.
Links mentioned in the episode:
• BBQ.About.com
• Meat Temperature Chart
• Ken Alexander's Fiery World Site
• Gator Hammock Sauces
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
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San Diego Padres Plant Chile Pepper Garden at Petco Park's Bullpin
The San Diego Padres are heating up.
The Major League club has put a new twist on an old baseball drill called "pepper," where fielders surround a single batter who has to hit the ball quickly back to them. (Many teams have banned this game because it can get a little dangerous.)
Now, the Padres are playing pepper in a whole new way.
The team has planted a honest-to-goodness garden of hot chile peppers in its bullpen at Petco Park. It turns out the sandy soil used in Major League parks is a perfect environment for sowing the seeds of success.
"We were on a losing streak and decided we needed to get hot as a team, so guys started picking them off the plants and just eating them,"" said left-handed pitcher Joe Thatcher.
"You're down there, you’re bored, you're losing, you'll do anything," added closer Huston Street. "We just said, 'Let's eat the peppers, maybe we'll get hot.' Like as a joke. We won that day, then we won the next day and the next day."
Street is the leader of the pepper players and that isn't always a mild task.
"A lot of times I have to be the ice-breaker, so I have to take a big bite," he said. "Then, they get to watch me suffer for like three innings, and then they'll take a little bitty bite.""
The Padres fans can also get in on the game; the team's head chef plans to incorporate the peppers into condiments, appropriately called "Strikeout Sauce" and "Bullpen Relish."
Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown - First Round - UHSS - Ladybird & Friends Zeus VS. Heartbreaking Dawns 1841 Ghost Pepper Sauce
Wow, you talk about it coming down to the 11th hour! The latest duel was a tight race between Wicked Cactus Sauce Headhunter's Paradise VS. Jungle Heat Smoked Glaze, with Wicked Cactus winning by a hair over Jungle Heat, and moving onto Round Two.
The latest brawl is between one of the most beloved hot sauce makers of the past few years, Heartbreaking Dawns with their 1841 Ghost Pepper Sauce, and a newer, lesser-known fiery foods company named Ladybird & Friends with their Zeus - The King of Heat Hot Sauce. 
While it may be easy to predict a landslide victory for HBD, don't count Ladybird out as they chalked up wins with their Zeus Sauce in the "Fiery Food Challenge: Hot Sauce - Hot" (1st Place), and
"Zest Fest People's Choice Award: Hot Sauce" (2nd Place) categories at ZestFest 2012.
YOU get to decide the outcome. Vote below! You have until the End of Day on Friday, May 10, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
Spicy Food Reviews - Hot Sauces, Spicy Snacks, and more.
