Sriracha

Sorry for the big gaps between posts lately, I've been really busy consulting at Blue State Coffee trying to get our new menu ready to launch. We had a big menu tasting this week, and the new sandwiches where a big hit. One of my favorites is the new Turkey Sriracha sandwich with shredded romaine, pickled red onion, avocado, and some sriracha spiked mayo. Sriracha hot chili sauce has been available in the USA at least as long as I've been wandering through asian markets, which is about 25 years. It is a great mix of chili pepper, garlic, vinegar, salt and sugar. You might also find Sambal from the same company, which is similar, but a little chunkier, more garlicy, and not in a squeeze bottle.  The Huy Fong brand Sriracha is certainly the most well know and easiest to find brand, available in the asian section of many regular super markets. To make the mayo for a sandwich, just mix a little Sriracha into some mayonaise and you have a delicious condiment. If you want to get fancy, you could add some lime zest or juice and even some sliced scallions, but those are extras, and the mayo is great with just the Sriracha. This hot sauce has flavor as well as heat and it doesn't numb your mouth, making it oblivious to any taste that may follow, like some other hot sauces who shall remiane nameless.  While I love the Sriracha mayo paired with the pickled red onions in this new sandwich, I also enjoy straight Sriracha on just about any meal, especially squeezed on a fried egg served over rice and sauteed vegetables.

I'll post a picture of the new sandwiches soon, but in the mean time, hope this inspires you to get some Sriracha and start adding a little heat, and flavor to your meals. 

Do you have a favorite hot sauce? which one?