Memphis-Style Finishing Sauce

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This is the sauce that is traditionally served over smoked ribs in 
Memphis and other parts of Tennessee. Some cooks add prepared yellow 
mustard to the recipe. It can be converted into a basting sauce by 
adding more beer and a little more vinegar. Add more hot sauce to taste, 
or substitute red chile or cayenne powder.

Ingredients

1 cup tomato sauce, preferably freshly made
1 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Louisiana-style hot sauce
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup light beer

Instructions

Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring 
constantly. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
Remove from the heat, but serve warm over smoked meats.
Yield: 2 1/2 cups

Homemade Tabasco®-Style Sauce

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The U.S.A. has become one of the world's largest producers of hot sauces 
and the flagship of the hot sauce fleet is Tabasco®, which is exported 
all over the world from Avery Island, Louisiana. Because the chiles in 
mash form are not aged in oak barrels for three years, this recipe will 
be only a rough approximation of the famous McIlhenny product. You will 
have to grow your own tabascos or substitute dried ones that have been 
rehydrated. Other small, hot, fresh red chiles can also be substituted 
for the tabascos. Note: This recipe requires advance preparation.

Ingredients

1 pound fresh red tabasco chiles, chopped
2 cups distilled white vinegar
2 teaspoons salt

Instructions

Combine the chiles and the vinegar in a saucepan and heat. Stir in the 
salt and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, cool, and place in 
a blender. Puree until smooth and place in a glass jar. Allow to steep 
for 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Remove, strain the sauce, and adjust the consistency by adding more 
vinegar if necessary.

Keeping “Pace®” with Picante Sauces

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Although most commercial salsas and picante sauces are made from similar 
ingredients, their flavors differ because of spices, cooking techniques, 
and the proportion of ingredients. Perhaps this home-cooked version 
outdoes the original of the best-selling American salsa--you tell me. It 
is important to use only Mexican oregano, as Mediterranean oregano will 
make this taste like a pasta sauce.

Ingredients

6 to 8 ripe red tomatoes (about 4 pounds), peeled, seeded, and chopped fine
2 onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Salt to taste
6 jalapeño chiles, seeds and stems removed, chopped

Instructions

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the tomatoes, onions, garlic, 
vinegar, oregano, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and cook 
for 15 minutes on medium heat to thicken the sauce.
Add the jalapeños and continue cooking for 15 more minutes. Remove from 
the heat, cool to room temperature, and serve with chips.

Pico de Gallo Salsa

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This universal salsa, also known as salsa fria, salsa cruda, salsa 
fresca, salsa Mexicana, and salsa picante, is served all over the 
Southwest and often shows up with non-traditional ingredients such as 
canned tomatoes, bell peppers, or spices like oregano. Here is the most 
authentic version. Remember that everything in it should be as fresh as 
possible, and the vegetables must be hand-chopped. Never, never use a 
blender or food processor. Pico de Gallo (“rooster's beak” for it's 
“sharpness”) is best when the tomatoes come from the garden, not from 
the supermarket. It can be used as a dip for chips, or for spicing up 
fajitas and other Southwestern specialties. Note: It requires advance 
preparation and will keep for only a day or two in the refrigerator.

Ingredients

4 serrano or jalapeño chiles, seeds and stems removed, chopped fine (or 
more for a hotter salsa)
2 large, ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
1 medium onion, chopped fine
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mix well, and let the salsa 
sit, covered, for at least an hour to blend the flavors.

The Earliest Mole Sauce

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Why wouldn’t the cooks of the prehistoric, ash-covered village of Cerén 
in El Salvador have developed sauces to serve over meats and vegetables? 
After all, there is evidence that curry mixtures were in existence 
thousands of years ago in what is now India, and we have to assume that 
Native Americans experimented with all available ingredients. Perhaps 
this mole sauce was served over stewed duck meat, as ducks were one of 
the domesticated meat sources of the Cerén villagers.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons pumpkin or squash seeds (pepitas)
4 tomatillos, husks removed
1 tomato, roasted and peeled
1/2 teaspoon chile seeds, from dried chile pods
1 corn tortilla, torn into pieces
2 tablespoons red chile powder, such as New Mexican, guajillo, or Chimayó
1 teaspoon annatto seeds, or substitute achiote paste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 ounce Mexican chocolate; or substitute bittersweet chocolate

Instructions

Heat a heavy skillet over high heat; add the pumpkin seeds, and 
dry-roast until the seeds start to pop. Shake the skillet once they 
start to pop, continuing until they turn golden, about 3 to 5 minutes. 
Take care that they don’t darken and remove from the pan to cool 
completely. Place the seeds in a spice mill or coffee grinder and 
process to a fine powder.
Put the pumpkin seeds, tomatillos, tomato, chile seeds, tortilla, chile 
powder, and annatto or achiote in a blender or food processor and 
process, using just enough broth to form a paste.
Reheat the skillet over medium heat, add the oil, and when hot, add the 
paste. Fry the paste, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 4 minutes.
Whisk in the remaining chicken broth and the chocolate, and cook, 
stirring constantly, until thickened to desired consistency. If the 
sauce becomes too thick, thin with either broth or water.