At the most recent Houston Hot Sauce Festival, Puckerbutt Pepper Company owner Ed Currie had a small army of well-known chilehead folks sign several bottles of his I Dare You Stupit hot sauce. Why? To raise money for the festival’s favorite charity, the Snowdrop Foundation, which funds research to eliminate childhood cancer and scholarships for college bound pediatric cancer patients and survivors.
Hot Girls in Hot Sauce Costumes
Yes, Halloween was last week, but that doesn’t mean that it the celebrating has to be over. In fact, any time of the year is a great time for admiring creative costumes, more specifically ones based on hot sauce AND worn by attractive females!
Costumes in the style of Taco Bell hot sauce packets seem to have been the big rage, while Sriracha sauce bottle costumes are gaining in popularity.
So if you want to see cute girls in hot outfits based in chile pepper sauces, hear you go! Enjoy. 😉
Spicy Foods Infographic – The World’s Most Favorite Spiciest Foods
You’ve seen these ginormous infographics containing dozens of facts on this topic and that topic, but here is a rare infographic that contains lots of info on spicy foods and chile peppers. Most of the information is true, while a few things are kind of head-scratchingly incomplete; it states that the “World’s hottest chiles are grown in different parts of Australia”…yeah they are, but they are also grown in many other parts of the world.
Anywho, enjoy this short visual tour through the wonderful world of fiery foods…
Weekly Firecast Episode #47 – Listener Feedback
The Audio Weekly Firecast with Scott Roberts:
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #47 – Listener Feedback
Scott once again opens the Firecast mailbag and answers your feedback! Topics include chilehead communities in LinkedIn, my top 10 favorite hot sauces of all time, what exactly is the world’s hottest chile pepper, if TryMe Tiger Sauce is indeed a hot sauce, and why the Firecast includes advertisements.
Links mentioned in the episode:
• Top 10 Favorite Hot Sauces of All Time
• Audible Trial Page – Download a FREE audiobook!
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
Listen Instantly!
Click Above to Listen to This Episode Now!
Download this episode | 
Subscribe via iTunes | 
Subscribe via RSS Feed
Subway to Launch Multiple Sriracha Subs to Coincide with Hunger Games: Catching Fire
I’ve just learned yesterday through the proverbial grapevine that Subway is launching multiple products next month to kick off a “Fiery November” that coincides with the release of the upcoming film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Yeah, movie ties between movie picture studios and QSR chains have been going on for decades, but this is a big one for the sandwich leader, as the first The Hunger Games was a gargantuan hit at the box office, devouring more than $400,000,000 in ticket sales domestically. There’s no reason why the highly-anticipated sequel wouldn’t set cinemas ablaze with similar dollar amounts.
For spicy food fans, what may be more interesting news is that Subway is launching a their nationwide Fiery November cross-promotion by introducing at least two products featuring Sriracha Chile Sauce! Now, I’m not exactly the biggest fan of this style of condiment (I think that the Huy Fong brand aka “Rooster Sauce” in particular is extremely overrated). Despite my personal opinions, there are no doubt ravenous fans of Sriracha, and this is big news in the chilehead world, as it’s yet another shining example of fiery foods catching on with the mainstream.
More details to come.
Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown – First Round – Intensity Academy Garlic Goodness VS. Lucky Dog Red Label
Last week’s showdown was a closer nail-biter that we’ve grown accustomed to here in the Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown, as the plucky Lucky Dog Orange Label edged out Evil Seed Hell Peach Hot Sauce to proceed to the second round.
The pair to duke it out this time around is Intensity Acadmey’s Garlic Goodness Sauce and another offering from the Lucky Dog lineup, their Red Label Hot Sauce. The former is more of a spicy garlic-dominated condiment, while the later is a more general, all-purpose yet still complex hot sauce, so this is yet again and interestingly-paired match-up
Who will triumph? Let your voice be made now, because it is up to YOU to decide!
You have until the End of Day on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
Hey Scott, Where’d All the Product Reviews Go?
Longtime ScottRobertsWeb.com readers have probably noticed the lack of new product reviews. I ‘fess up! I fully admit I’ve been severely slacking on my duties as a fiery foods blogger by not having scribed a written review in months.
I could use any number of reasons from my repertoire grab-bag of excuses – some of them may be legitimate, quasi-legit, or downright silly:
- I’m backed up with products
- I recently moved to a new house
- My nightly work schedule prevents me from cooking several, savory dinners on which to try new pepper sauces, BBQ sauces and rubs.
- The dog ate my homework, er, hot sauce!
And while three of those four those excuses (guess which ones!) may have had a bit of validity to them at some point, I cannot hide behind them any longer. The real reason I have not done any written reviews in a while is because of this…
Weekly Firecast Episode #46 – 2013 Chilehead Bloggers Roundtable
The Audio Weekly Firecast with Scott Roberts:
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #46 – Bloggers Roundtable Discussion
The grand tradition continues in our biggest fiery foods blogger round table chat yet! Joining Scott were Joe and Linda Levinson of The Hot Zone Online; Michael Hultquist of Chili Pepper Madness; freelance reviewer “Firehead” Thomas Gately, Ken Alexander of It’s a Fiery World; and Brian and Marilyn Meagher of Hot Sauce Daily. We discuss such topics as what we think is the most under-utilized pepper in sauces and cooking, the crossover between BBQ and hot sauces, and introducing an official annual chilehead holiday.
In his regular segment, Ken reviews the Bic FlameDisk®.
Links mentioned in the episode:
• Hot Sauce Daily
• I Love It Spicy
• Ken Alexander’s It’s a Fiery World Blog
• Chili Pepper Madness Blog
• The Hot Zone Online
• Scott Roberts’ Blog
• Ken’s Review of the Bic FlameDisk®
• Grilling With Bic Website
• Audible Trial Page – Download a FREE audiobook!
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
Listen Instantly!
Click Above to Listen to This Episode Now!
Download this episode | Subscribe via iTunes | Subscribe via RSS Feed
Hot Sauce Reactions in Slow Motion Video
Here’s yet another video courtesy of Jimmy Bonaminio of Jungle Jim’s Weekend of Fire with lots of shenanigans set in a slow motion booth at the recent 7th annual show. This was slickly edited and produced, and I don’t think…
Rapidfire Chili Recipe
Are you craving a good bowl of chili and don’t have a lot of time to spare and want to keep things simplified? Try out this killer chili recipe for the person on the go:
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
2 jalapeno peppers, diced
1 package McCormick® Chili Seasoning Mix, Original
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, un-drained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
Cooking Instructions:
1. Cook ground beef, onion and jalapenos in large skillet on medium-high heat 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until beef is browned. Drain fat.
2. Stir in packet of chili seasoning mix and the remaining ingredients. Bring contents to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, crackers and additional chopped onion, if desired.
Makes 5 (1-cup) servings.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
NY Smoke ‘N Fire Food Fest This Weekend!
The weekend is close at hand! At the NY Smoke ‘N Fire Food Fest, there is TONS of family fun, lots of great food and live entertainment! They have nearly 40 vendors and only $5 admission.
Check out the vendors online at NYSmokeNFire.com. Spread the word! You can also “like” them and share on Facebook https://facebook.com/NYSmokeNFire.
Remember, the event is benefiting Baking Memories 4 Kids and the more attendees they have, the more great memories they can make for kids with terminal illness!
Link: NYSmokeNFire.com.
Ultimate Hot Sauce Showdown – First Round – Lucky Dog Orange Label VS. Evil Seed Hell Peach Hot Sauce
Wow! It was a shocker of a blowout last match-up when Golden Toad’s Chipotle trounced big dog Blair’s Original Death Sauce. We’ll have to see what remaining “David Vs. Goliath” battles are up ahead in Round One to see if underdog lightning strikes again.
Today’s fight is between the savory and tasty Lucky Dog Orange Label and the sweet n’ slight heat Evil Seed Hell Peach Hot Sauce.
Who will triumph? Let your voice be made now, because it is up to YOU to decide!
You have until the End of Day on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 to make your choice.
You can view the bracket as it currently stands here.
Jungle Jim’s Weekend of Fire Video Overview
It was beyond sad that after 5 straight years of attending, I had to miss out on Jungle Jim’s Weekend of Fire in the Cincinnati, Ohio suburb of Fairfield this year. The WOF is not only the only major fiery foods show within driving distance from where I live in the St. Louis, Missouri; but perhaps like no other chilehead event, the show producers have accepted and embraced the hot sauce bloggers so much that this feels like a home away from home.
Kindly, photographer extraordinaire Jimmy Bonaminio (who happens to be the son of Jungle Jim’s owner Jim Bonaminio) had compiled a video highlight reel of Saturday’s events and send it to me. So without further ado, here is Day One of the 7th Annual Weekend of Fire:
As a coda, you can listen to my interview with Jim Beckett and Stephanie Adams of Jungle Jim’s on the most recent episode of the Weekly Firecast as they give a good preview of the show!
Weekly Firecast Episode #45 – Dave DeWitt on the Chile Pepper Harvest, Plus Jungle Jim’s Weekend of Fire
The Audio Weekly Firecast with Scott Roberts:
Weekly Firecast Podcast Episode #45 – Dave DeWitt on the Chile Pepper Harvest, Plus Jungle Jim’s Weekend of Fire
The Pope of Peppers, Dave DeWitt, returns to chat with Scott about the Fall chile pepper harvest. Later, Scott converses with Jim Beckett and Stephanie Adams of Jungle Jim’s International Market about the 7th Annual Weekend of Fire Hot Sauce Show in Fairfield, Ohio. Blogger Ken Alexander gives an overview on his recent trip to San Diego to meet with chile grower Jim Duffy of Refining Fire Chiles, and Scott reviews Men P’aw Gourmet Hot Sauce.
Links mentioned in the episode:
• Dave DeWitt’s Fiery Foods & BBQ Super Site
• Dave DeWitt’s Too Many Chiles! Book
• Jungle Jim’s Weekend of Fire Official Site
• Ken Alexander’s It’s a Fiery World Blog
• Refining Fire Chiles
• Men P’AW Hot Sauce
• Audible Trial Page – Download a FREE audiobook!
• Scott Roberts Facebook Page
• Scott Roberts Twitter Page
Listen Instantly!
Click Above to Listen to This Episode Now!
Download this episode | Subscribe via iTunes | Subscribe via RSS Feed
How To Eat a Chicken Wing With One Hand
As a chicken wing enthusiast, a participant in a handful of wing challenges, and a spectator of at least a couple of dozen buffalo wing-eating contests, below is perhaps the quickest, cleanest, and most efficient way of eating the “flats” of those scrumptious little fowl appendages.
The first time I came across this technique was when I saw past wing champion Dante of Columbus, Ohio, who is the African American man who has been to probably every North Market Fiery Foods Festival show since it’s inception, and is one of the regular favorites to at least place in the top two contestants in their wing-chomping brawls. Using this method, he was able to suck wings clean in a rapid succession and smoke the other challengers.
Of course, the aim of this video is not necessarily to scarf down as many wings as possible in a given amount of time, but to free up one hand from getting saucy. Super simple this is…enjoy!