Holiday Gift Giving Guide– Cholula Hot Sauces–For Those Who Like to Add “Heat” to Their Food (Product Review)

 

Cholula Hot Sauce Original is all about Flavor, Fire and Fun. More than any other Hot Sauce, Cholula's delicious blend of piquin peppers, chile arbol and signature spices enhances food flavors without overpowering them. It's a combination that has defined Cholula as The Flavorful Fire. Cholula makes your enjoyment of eggs, omelets, soups, pizza, dips, appetizers, drinks - virtually all your favorite foods - a more festive experience you will want to share with others.

Recently, I was sent the following flavors from the Cholula Hot Sauce product line – Original, Chili Garlic, Chili Lime and Chipotle.

Out of the four hot sauces sent to sample, both my husband and I enjoyed the Chili Lime sauce the most, with the Original sauce coming in a close second. My husband has been using these hot sauces on everything, including eggs, rice and roasts. In addition, when we marinade steaks to cook out on the grill, he loves to use the Chili Garlic Cholula Hot Sauce, as it adds a great spicy flavor to the meat.

I especially loved the recipes available on the Cholula site.  It gave me inspiration on creating delicious dishes that the whole family would enjoy.  Click here to check out the Cholula recipe section.  Out of all the recipes I tried from the Cholula website, my family’s favorite was the Baja Bean Soup.  Here is the recipe:

Baja Bean Soup

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked Pinto beans, with liquid (canned are fine)
1 medium Onion, coarsely chopped
1 large Red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
2 medium Tomatoes, coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons CHOLULA HOT SAUCE, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried Marjoram or oregano
2 leaves Epazote (optional)
Salt - To taste
1/3 cup Corn Oil
Water - As needed for blending

Garnish:

3 or 4 Corn tortillas - cut into thin strips and fried until crisp
2/3 cup Muenster cheese or Queso Fresco - grated or crumbled

STEP 1:

In a blender or food processor, combine onion, red bell pepper, tomatoes, and enough water to facilitate blending (about 2/3 cup), blend or process to a smooth purée.

STEP 2:

Heat the corn oil in a large saucepan and cook over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

STEP 3

Meanwhile, purée beans with cooking liquid and additional water, if necessary, until smooth.

STEP 4:

Add the bean purée, seasonings and CHOLULA HOT SAUCE to the saucepot and simmer for 15 more minutes.

STEP 5:

Adjust seasonings and pour into individual soup bowls, garnishing with tortilla ribbons and cheese.

 

In addition to the pinto beans, I also added black beans to this dish.  My husband, being of Latin descent, loved eating this dish over white rice, instead of eating it like a soup.  He would drain most of the liquid and spoon it over his rice.  I also caught him a few times in burritos he made.  So, there are endless possibilities with the recipes from the Cholula website.  You can also spice up the dishes as much you like or can tolerate.  Usually I create “mild” dishes, and then my husband, with hot sauce in hand, will kick up the heat by adding his favorite sauces.

So, if you are a fan of hot sauces or know someone who is, why not pick up any of the four Cholula Hot Sauces today.  They are great to have on hand, so that guests can spice up their meals or add just the right amount of heat to their food.

Don’t forget to follow Cholula on Facebook for news and recipe ideas.

 

Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. The views above are mine and mine alone.