subject: Barbecue Sauce, An Underestimated Condiment? [print this page] Often times when people think of barbecue sauce they fail to understand the possibilities behind it. Barbecue sauce is often underestimated and pushed aside in the condiment world, when in reality it is one of the only condiments that nation competitions are held for and awards are given. Have you ever heard of a ketchup or mayonnaise competition where competitors spend years perfecting their recipes just to have the best condiment that ultimately will just compliment a meal? No, that is because there are not competitions for those condiments, only bbq sauce.
Barbecue sauce has a vast and wide range of possibilities and flexibility. It can be a marinade, a dressing, or an addition to a steak or burger. There are multiple different typed and different flavors, they all have that same underlining kick though that gives it a distinction from others. The problem with the misconceptions of barbecue sauce is the lack of understanding of the vastness of the condiment.
There are multiple options for what kind of sauce and what one can do with the sauce. If you look up barbecue sauce on a cooking website such as Food Network there are recipes for lamb, chicken and even tilapia. The possibilities really are endless.
Barbecue sauce is such a well rounded condiment because it has more than one flavor and not too overpowering of a taste.
Why is bbq sauce so often underestimated? It is because it is merely a condiment. We do not give as much value, in our cooking culture, as we should to things like spices and sauces. Although we do hold more value for spices than we do for things such as condiments. It is important though to recognize that bbq sauce is in deed a sauce more than a condiment and can be used in the manner that sauces are, as a center piece or center flavor of a dish. If you were to disguise bbq sauce in a fabulous gourmet meal there is not doubt, if done correctly, your guests would be full of compliments for the delicious meal. You dare not tell them though that your secret ingredient is in their refrigerator door though!
When you are at a lack of new and exciting things to cook to arouse your taste buds it is a wise venture to explore the world of barbecue sauce, you will not be disappointed! Be sure to step away from the classic and traditional flavors and look up sauces like "Gourmet Barbecue Sauce" from a good trustworthy website. Any number of different sauces will amaze you!