Monday Market with Fat Cat Foods

August 20, 2012 No Comments by Champagne Girl

Happy Monday everyone! I am excited to be launching my new “Monday Market” weekly blog post in which I will feature food products that are not only delicious, they are produced locally. I am a huge supporter of local shops and products and want to share my yummy discoveries with all of you.

I am really excited about today’s featured product which is truly the “cat’s meow!” I discovered this product on twitter back in May when I learned they were going to be holding a tasting at one of my favorite spots in Tampa, Datz. Excited, I went to mark the date in my calendar and realized that I was going to be in California during that time. They were so kind and offered to send me samples since I would miss the event. I tried the samples and am hooked! Their products are not only “hot”, they have great flavor. This wonderful product I am speaking of is a line of hot sauces that is produced in Orlando by Fat Cat Foods. If you are looking to add some spice to your life, you need to try Fat Cat Gourmet Sauces!

Based in Orlando, Fat Cat Foods is a boutique condiments company that produces gourmet hot sauces. All of their products are all-natural and preservative-free, and are made from top-quality ingredients. Ideal for recipes, some of their sauces are hot and some are mild and they all feature a complex array of natural ingredients and pure flavors that complement a wide range of foods.

Their collection of flavors includes: (descriptions courtesy of Fat Cat Foods)

Purry-Purry Sauce

Their version of the classic South African condiment, Piri-Piri! Great with grilled meat and chicken, as a sandwich spread, on wings — heck, even mix it with oil and vinegar and serve it as a salad dressing. A magical mix of caramelized onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes and pequin peppers — small red chilies that pack some powerful back heat. It is thick too, so you can use it as a marinade or dip. Enjoy!

Papaya Pequin Passion

Triple P! Here’s a sauce that will get you thinking of the sleepy-but-spicy life along the Caribbean waters. A tantalizing blend of papaya, pineapple, garlic, onion, spices and more — highlighted by the inclusion of pequin peppers, tiny Mexican fire starters that pack some serious heat. Sweet and spicy in the best sense of the words. Great with lighter meats like turkey breast or pork loin — and perfect over grilled or fried fish. Delish!

Mexican-Style Habanero

While the orange habanero is one of the world’s hottest chilies, they decided to focus this sauce more on the pepper’s fruity flavor than its mind-blowing heat. This is still darned hot stuff, but it’s also savory and sweet, with a great velvety texture. Add it to eggs, fried chicken, enchiladas — anywhere you want to feel some spicy tropical punch. For an eye-opening twist, mix a few drops into your next Bloody Mary.

Surprisingly Mild Guajillo Ghost

They took the world’s hottest pepper — the ghost chili — and created a MILD sauce from it, accenting its smoky flavor instead of its insanity-inducing heat. Mixed with savory guajillo chilies and select spices, this is a sauce that’s perfect with Mexican food, chili, BBQ — anywhere you want to add a touch of Tex Mex attitude. Plus, it lets you tell your chili-head friends you ate the mighty “ghost” and lived to tell the tale

Caribbean Curry

This one’s right out of the islands, and it’s their hottest sauce, so watch out, Mon! They’ve taken the Bahamian standard, the yellow habanero, paired it with onions, serranos, Jamaican curry power and more, to create a savory, complex condiment that adds the exotic flavors of the Caribbean to any dish. It is awesome poured over fried chicken, used as a dip for grilled meat or fish — even over potatoes and in hummus. Yum!

So, are you ready to try some Fat Cat Gourmet Hot Sauces? If you live in Tampa, you can stop by Datz located at 2616 South MacDill Avenue in South Tampa and pick up a bottle or two or three…….. You can also order from Fat Cat directly on their website by clicking here. On their site you can browse tons of delicious recipes as well as shop for sauces and other cool products. Here is a cocktail recipe I found on their site that I am hooked on:

Recipe: Fat Cat Triple P! Cocktail

(recipe and photo courtesy of Fat Cat Foods)

Ingredients:

1.5 oz. of vodka or light (white) rum
2 oz. pineapple juice
1.5 oz. sour mix
1 teaspoon Fat Cat Papaya Pequin Passion Sauce
splash of Grand Marnier, Cointreau or triple sec (orange liqueur)

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker.

Fill with ice.

Shake vigorously for 30 seconds, strain and serve.

Add a slice of papaya or pineapple as garnish if desired.

Enjoy!

Sound delicious? Well I want to share my love of these fabulous sauces with a reader and will be giving away a gift set containing one of each flavor. With football season coming up, these sauces will be a hit at your next football party. To enter, simply do each or any one of the following and receive one entry per completed item. Be sure to comment on this post for each item completed. I will pick a winner on Sunday, September 9th, which is the day MY team makes it’s 2012 NFL season debut. (hint: You will get an extra entry if you are a Steelers fan) Be sure to also fill out the entry form below. I will see you all at kick-off and announce my winner on Facebook/Twitter the evening of September 9th.