Tabasco sauce has only three simple ingredients: vinegar, red pepper, and salt.
No preservatives. Nothing artificial or unpronounceable. Just those three ingredients.
And despite (or because of!) it's simplicity, Tabasco has become a universal table condiment. It's certainly earned it's place next to ketchup and mustard, and is revered everywhere from deep South barbecue joints to our own dining rooms.
And as an ingredient in our cooking, Tabasco can do even more to set off fireworks in our mouth. Read on!
We've been talking a lot these past few weeks about how to taste, what you're tasting for, and how to cook without recipes. Consider Tabasco one more tool in your box of Chef Tricks!
Each of the three ingredients in Tabasco plays a specific role in enhancing flavors in sauces, soups, and just about everything else:
- Vinegar adds bright notes. It picks up the more subtle flavors in your dish and gives them a boost.
- The hot pepper also works as a flavor enhancer. The burst of heat carries those high notes, helping them linger on the tongue.
A little definitely goes a long way, so be careful not to overpower your dish!
The next time you think your dish needs "a little something" try just a few dashes. Even this small amount will help bring out the flavors and the heat won't be intolerable to sensitive guests.
Do you use Tabasco in your cooking?
Related: Homemade Agave Nectar Ketchup
(Image: Flickr member Misserion licensed under Creative Commons)
I've started to use hot sauces a lot more because my mother-in-law can't tolerate any level of heat, but the rest of us love the spicy. So now I totally skip any pepper flakes, cayenne, etc, in the recipe, and put out Sriracha for Asian meals or Cholula for Mexican meals.
I've always poo-poohed Tabasaco because it's so ubiquitous, but this post makes me want to take another look! My dad (hot sauce king) adores their Sweet & Spicy flavor.
view SisterRae's profile
I love the Tabasco! From eggs, to nachos, to many soups sandwiches, and other foods it definitely ups the flavor for a great kick.
Also enjoy the sriracha and other hot sauces, but Tabasco is always just an arm's reach away in our kitchen.
view bobcatsteph3's profile
I love the Tabasco! From eggs to nachos, soups, chili, sandwiches, and a lot of other foods it gives a nice kick to up the flavor of so many things and I don't find it too hot either.
I also like Sriracha, red pepper flakes, and other hot sauces but Tabasco is always just an arm's reach away in our kitchen.
view bobcatsteph3's profile
I'm not a big fan of Louisiana-style hot sauces, but I do keep a bottle of Crystal for some recipes.
I tend to use Cholula more. There's a slight smoky flavor to it and less of a vinegary bite that makes it work well on top of fried chicken, greens, and eggs.
view verily's profile
I love me some Tabasco.
You have to try their Chipotle version. Nice and smokey.
view ronzo's profile
Like fried chicken? Place your chicken pieces in a zip plastic bag with buttermilk and a few shots of Tabasco (several dashes!) and let it sit in the fridge a overnight before coatin in crumbs & frying---whichever method you like best. It's delicious!
view sassypiggy's profile
I love tobasco! My favorite thing to put it on is New England Clam Chowder and Biscuits and gravy on the rare occasion that I treat myself to them! Pretty much on anything savory & creamy!
view Ta's profile
Eggs and hash browns are made for Tabasco. Not much else though.
view SeanG's profile
I have the original, the chipotle, and the jalapeno versions to hand now, always, because my toddler "no like picy food." It's a handy way to have my eggs to myself, too, because she will come around to "share" until she sees that bottle come out.
view cmcinnyc's profile