by I continue to search out craft hot sauces, and one of my favorite places to shop for these is Simply Texas Gourmet Foods in Old Town Spring, north of Houston. Here is a rundown on two of the latest sauces I picked up from there.
Queen Majesty Manzano Serrano Hot Sauce: This sauce comes from a New York-based company has a very unique flavor. You can taste the serrano in there, and there is a good peppery kick, but then there’s a nice tang from the vinegar along with a citrusy finish—though not overpowering, considering those are the first two ingredients. There is a little sweetness, but not too much, and there is some fruitiness, I assume from the Manzano chili. I have never actually tried one of those myself, but they are noted for their hints of fruit, and the sauce has a really fresh pop to it.
It is not very spicy—maybe Mild at best on my scale—but it has a really wonderful flavor, and I could probably go through the whole bottle just pouring it on chips. This one should pair really well with chicken or fish dishes, especially if they have a tropical twist to them. But it would go well on just about anything that needs an extra kick of heat and flavor. I paid $9.95 for the bottle, which is about standard for a craft hot sauce. You can find the Queen Majesty brand in gourmet shops and some grocery stores, or you can purchase directly from their website.
Hotline Evil Ooze Habanero and Jalapeño Hot Sauce: This sauce is made right here in Texas, and it has a smokiness right off the bat from the grilled peppers and roasted onion. It also has a nice tang that is followed by some sweetness and a good peppery kick. That tang is definitely noticeable, though, and it does deliver some pucker. The habanero is not distinguished in the taste, but overall this delivers some good flavor from the mix of chili peppers, including a bit of earthiness from the green bells.
The heat is a little above Medium on my scale, and I might have preferred more burn (especially from something named Evil Ooze!), but I still rather like this sauce. This one seems like it would go really well with barbecue or with my recipe for Deviled Bones. It might also be good to add into a meatloaf to kick that dish up. It cost $7.95 for the bottle, and you can find this in gourmet shops or purchase directly from their website.
Nutrition Info:
Queen Majesty Manzano Serrano Hot Sauce
Ingredients: White vinegar, lemon juice, yellow bell peppers, Manzano peppers, serrano peppers, celery, shallots, ginger root, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, salt and spices
Serving Size: 1 tsp
Calories: 8
Fat: <1g (0g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 0g
Carbs: <1g
Sodium: 50mg
Hotline Evil Ooze Habanero and Jalapeno Hot Sauce
Ingredients: Grilled red jalapenos, grilled habaneros, vinegar, bell peppers, roasted onion, carrots, sea salt, chili powder and chopped garlic
Serving Size: 1 oz (28g)
Calories: 10
Fat: 0g (0g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 0g
Carbs: 2g
Sodium: 210mg
