When the Spanish Conquistadors discovered the spicy condiment that had been made in South and Central America for many centuries, they named it "salsa" which simply means sauce. We know that this condiment was a popular food with the Aztecs, because it was described in the writings of a missionary in 1529. The Aztecs combined tomatoes (which were native to the New World and unknown in Europe) or tomatillos with chile peppers and occasionally other ingredients such as beans or squash seeds, and … [Read more...]

There is nothing quite like barbecue sauce, when the summer brings friends together at backyard barbecue parties. You can make these social gatherings even more special by adding a personal touch of your own with homemade barbecue sauce. … [Read more...]

The term salsa can refer to a variety of sauces, though in the United States it generally refers to the spicy tomato based hot sauce used as a dip for nacho chips. While the word salsa is derived from the Latin word meaning “salty”, in Spanish the word means simply a “sauce,” making it redundant to call the dip “salsa sauce,” as is sometimes done. Though, this redundancy is sometimes used to separate salsa, the sauce, from salsa, the dance, particularly when discussing the topic on … [Read more...]

Hot sauce. We all know it as that stuff you put on food to give it that extra punch, and add spice to an otherwise boring meal. But did you know that the sultry condiment can do more to your body than give your tongue and throat a run for its money? That's right; it can actually be good for you. But how does that work, exactly? Shouldn't it be doing the exact opposite? That's what many people who would rather avoid the stuff would like to believe, but it's actually something you could add to … [Read more...]

Making your own or having a collection of hot sauces can be a great addition to any kitchen or home. However, with this addition also comes a responsibility to yourself, the people you live with and the people for whom you cook. The responsibilities include (1) making sure all hot sauces are labeled by name and by level of hotness, (2) using appropriate care when using and storing and using gloves if hot sauces are above a certain level of hotness, and (3) making sure to warn family and friend … [Read more...]