subject: Barbecue Sauce, The Universal Condiment [print this page] There are many condiments that can be used for various things. Some are simply used to add moisture to your food, like mayonnaise. You spread it on bread or add it to recipes to keep things as moist as you like them, but there is little flavor. Nobody ever tastes a food item and says, "I think it needs more mayonnaise." On the other hand, barbecue sauce is a universal crowd pleaser that with just a little bit added to a recipe can go a long way. Turning something bland and lifeless into something zesty, bold, or even daring!
How many other condiments do you use for dipping sauce? Sure, ketchup has its place in history as the companion to the French fries, except in France where they put mayonnaise on them. Mustard sauces can work for some things, but usually have to team up with honey to be worth anything. Barbecue sauce, on the other hand, can be used for all sorts of dipping experiences. Chicken nuggets, French fries, those little wieners with the toothpicks in them at parties, and even the occasional cheese stick might be enhanced with barbecue sauce.
Using barbecue sauce as an addition to a recipe is an easy and exciting way to add gusto to any dish. Baked beans are delicious, but with a splash of grilling sauce they become something more. Traditional spaghetti sauce can gain a kick with some spicy or hickory flavored sauce. People will be asking you, " What did you put in this sauce, it is amazing?"
The biggest element to utilizing your barbecue sauce to its full potential is to be of creative mind and be bold enough to act on your creative ideas. Too many people are afraid to think outside the box of typical or traditional when in the kitchen, and it ultimately hamstrings their overall ability to cook. You should be just as bold or zesty as the bottle of sauce in your hand. Grilling sauces are not for the timid of heart.
So, whether it is dipping, dumping, or dripping onto something, the barbecue sauce should always be accessible, and liberally used when looking for a new cooking idea. Don't give the mustard or ketchup a second chance at ruining a dish for you, as they have little potential to help. Just as in the old movies, the one who saves the day is that hero that is brash, daring, and confident in the fact that they are zesty. Now you know who the one is for the job, just be willing to let them steal the show.
