Cutino Sauce

Cutino Sauce Co. evolved from Homeboy’s Hot Sauce, which was a sensation in founder Jacob Cutino’s hometown of Phoenix pretty much from the minute it was launched back in 2015. And Homeboy’s Hot Sauce came from Cutino’s stepfather. Sort of. You see, he wouldn’t give the recipe to Jacob, so Jacob had to reconstruct it himself, ingredient by ingredient, through a long process of trial and error, until he nailed it. The habanero sauce, still the flagship brand of the company, is a stunning blend of spice from the mustard, vinegar and fresh, top-quality habanero peppers; sweetness from the onions and carrots added to the mix; and a touch of acidity from lemon juice, making it perfect for everything from veggies to tacos to burgers.

 

The habanero sauce is one of four Cutino’s hot sauces you’ll find in this month’s package. They all come packing serious heat, but spice is just one dimension of these masterful sauces. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that they don’t just make your tongue tingle, they taste good, too. Take the Jalapeño sauce included herein. Rather than the green color most of us associate with jalapeños, it’s red. 

That’s because Cutino lets the peppers ripen, giving them a layer of sweetness to go with the spice. Tomatoes and carrots bring a layer of depth, while onion, mustard and lime add to the tang.  

The Verde is for true connoisseurs of heat, featuring a blend of poblanos, habaneros, jalapeños, and even a touch of the fabled ghost pepper, which brings hints of smoke as well as fire. The disparate flavors are united by a smidgen of lime, whose tartness manages to focus all the heat. And the Chipotle brings a distinct smokiness, along with tropical sweetness courtesy of pineapple and lime.  

Squeeze them on hot dogs. Squirt them on fish tacos. Use them as a marinade for steaks. Or blend them into your homemade salsas. Trust us, you’re going to have fun playing with this quartet of fire starters. Be prepared to sweat... and enjoy. 

JALAPEÑO HONEY GLAZED CHICKEN 

INGREDIENTS1 

0-12 chicken leg quartersSichuan pepper salt(Green Sichuan peppercorns toasted-powdered-equal parts Kosher Salt) 

1 stick unsalted sweet cream butter 

2 oz sesame oil 

4 cloves of garlic 

1 bunch green onion 

1 large shallot 

2 stalks of lemongrass 

1/4 cup soy sauce 

1 bottle Cutino Sauce Co. Jalapeño 

1 cup honeyJuice of 1 lemon 

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Season chicken liberally with Sichuan pepper salt. In a small sauce pan over medium heat melt butter with sesame oil. Add garlic, shallot, and onion stirring until translucent. Add remaining ingredients and simmer on low for 20 minutes. Grill chicken over high heat. Begin basting with glaze for the last 30 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes. 

 

HABANERO JALAPEÑO BUFFALO WINGS 

INGREDIENTS 

2 lbs chicken wings, approx 2 dozen (fried or grilled) 

1 bottle Cutino Sauce Co. Jalapeño or Chipotle 

2 oz. Cutino Sauce Co. Habanero 

1 stick sweet cream butter 

Juice from 1/2 of a lime 

1 Tbsp soy sauce 

1 Tbsp honey 

1 tsp cayenne pepper 

1 tsp black pepper 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Melt butter, add all ingredients, and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Toss wings in sauce.