Thoughts From A Sassy Kitchen: 12/5/10

12.09.2010

The Holiday Sauce

Creative juices suddenly kicked into high gear tonight. I wanted to make a new Sassy Sauce and the ingredients begging to be used were....

Fresh cranberries
Blackberries
Dried cherries
Candied ginger
Brown sugar
Red wine vinegar
Allspice, dried ginger & smidge of cloves
Spicy brown mustard
Ketchup

After simmering low and slow, I whirred it up in the processor. It tastes warm and cozy, with a hint of exotic spice from the ginger and tangy from the vinegar and cranberries.

I have the jars preserving in a water bath currently. I'm definitely saving some of this for the Christmas ham.

Cooked up on chicken!! Yummy!!

Flavors to Dream By....

What flavors always remind you of summer? What foods can you not wait for each summer? Sweet corn is first and foremost on that list every time for me! Ripe blackberries fresh-picked that burst in your mouth with their sweet juiciness. Vidalia onions. Peaches. Mangos. Tomatoes. All those fruits and vegetables that were succulent and abundant each summer from the garden.

I'm fortunate living here in the southwest that I have a wide variety of fruits and vegetables available throughout the year to cook with. But I still get excited with the first crop of sweet corn that hits the stores. Or blackberries and strawberries so sweet that no sugar is needed. All these luscious flavors get my creative juices flowing, and my fingers just itch to start cooking!

Basic Love Of Grub & Dishing It...

2/26/11 ~ A New Year

I haven't been out and about much to contribute to my "Basic Love of Grub & Dishing It" segment here. Too little dinero, too little time when I've been feeling well. I'm keeping it real though.... Lots of home cooking and dreaming of winning the lottery so that I can set Michael and I up with our own place. Still want to call it Sassy's. He probably would have something to say about that - but I think it has a nice ring to it. :) Gotta win tho before I can name anything!! We definitely share our vision of what we want ~ as much locally sourced and grown food as possible, all hand made in small batches. I'm thinking a lunch place into early dinner, maybe the occasional catering job. I still dream of owning a food truck. I know that would appeal to Michael as he's part gypsy with his wandering-lust to explore the world around him. Some days, I really wish that money didn't make the world go round. But it does, so I'm still dreamin of possibilities....

9/23 ~ 1702

Fabulous! Had large pizza with bacon (mmmmmm.....tons of bacon was on it!) and the crust wasn't cracker thin but wasn't a loaf of bread either. Chewy, tasty and perfect compliment to sauce and cheese ratio that made my mouth and tummy happy happy! Jack & Michael each had a beer -the selection is almost overwhelming, but the server is familiar with the brews and asks what you like and will try to match a familiar brand with their hand-crafted selection. It's a comfy place to go and hang out. I was surprised that it's not just geared toward the 20-something crowd. Word of caution tho...this isn't a place to go for nice intimate and "quiet" dinner for two. Place does tend to get loud as it fills up.

I will be back!!

9/10 ~ Barrio Brewing Co.

http://barriobrewing.com/

Good burgers - could have used a bit of a schmear to make it memorable, but bun was soft and fresh (A+ for not doing weird bread with the burger) and burger itself was tasty and cooked perfectly. Loved that they gave you condiments that didn't overwhelm taste of meat, cheese and green chile on the Southwestern Burger.

Let me say this tho....TO DIE FOR beer battered fries! Killed it! I could eat those and prolly a plate full of the onion rings alone. I sincerely hope they made both of them from scratch and they aren't pre-packaged.

My dad's Reuben was a bit stingy on the corned beef, but he said it was very good tasting and it was served on grilled artisanal rye bread! His burger was devoured in under 5 minutes flat - so you know it was good. Yeah....there was a doggie bag going home with my parents. The plates coming out of the kitchen with the tacos looked awesome and I almost wish I had ordered one, but really was in the mood for a burger.

Oh yeah....and they have some beers too. Next time I go, I'll drink. This time was all about the food.

Definitely a keeper!!!

9/9 ~ Rocco's on Broadway...

Caesar salad was extemely good - dressing obviously homemade and the taste of anchovies was salty and perfectly balanced with garlic and cheese. Croutons were freshly made and buttery. Lovely!

Chicago-style pizza not my thing, but Michael and Jack enjoyed and there were leftovers to go home - so it was good!

Only downer to the meal: the waitress could have used an attitude adjustment. She was sullen and very unfriendly! Too bad.

I'm neutral on the place, unless I'm craving a really great caesar salad - then it's thumbs up.

Need some Sassy Sauce?

Contact me, get some home and try it. I think you'll agree that it's simply the BEST BBQ Sauce you've ever tasted.

Email me: sassyquesauces@gmail.com

What you want and where it's going, and I'll get back to you total price including shipping and how to pay.

Versatile and easy to use - grilling, baking, broiling, dipping, smothering or just slathering over whatever you are making to eat.

You won't be disappointed!

Here's the line-up...

16oz jars for $8.00

“The Original” This is the sauce that started it all ~ sweet at first bite, a little tang hits those taste buds, and then it’s followed by the slow burn of chile heat!

“The Carolinian” Strange name, but it gets its roots from mustard-based Carolina BBQ.

“The Northwestern” Richly flavored from sweet, berry preserves.

"The Dragon Slayer" Wickedly hot BBQ Sauce. All kinds of chiles – fresh, dried and preserved.

“The West Coast” No heat, just sweet, intensely roasted garlic in flavor.

Limited Editions….All now available!

**Flavors of Fall** (Apples & Pears in Savory Sauce)

**The Holiday Sauce** (Cranberries, Dried Cherries & Ginger)

Thoughts From A Sassy Kitchen

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Welcome!

12.09.2010

The Holiday Sauce

Farmer's Market Goodies

Summer Sweet Berries

Yum!

Ingredients for Sassy Sauce