Our Kelly turns up the heat as she samples up-and-coming hot sauce range, Sidekick.
What is it?
A collection of hot sauces that covers the whole kick-o-meter range, from mild and creamy to knock your socks off hot. Designed to banish bland flavours, this fun hot sauce brand has a companion for every meal.
How much is it?
Gift box – RRP £19.50
Individual bottles – RRP £3.90
Pros
Easy to pour
Some hot sauces have bottlenecks so slim that you work up a sweat just trying to extract sauce from the bottle. Thankfully, these poured perfectly – an ideal consistency for dipping and adding to meals.
Flavoursome
I love heat, but not at the expense of flavour. These guys have struck the balance just right, with an aftertaste that you don’t want to drown with water.
Cons
None are *really* hot
If you’re looking for a ‘proper’ hot sauce that you can scorch your friends and family with, you may want to look elsewhere.
Screaming Pepper Extra Hot Sauce
I was raised on vindaloos as a kid, so I’m a harsh critic when it comes to hot sauce. This wasn’t quite the ‘ultimate kick’ that it warned on the bottle – no mad dashes for the milk bottle or tissues here.
However, it does liven up a dish considerably, ideal if you want to give those everyday dishes some heat. I tried it on my partner – who is more of a jalfrezi kind of guy – and he found the intensity enjoyable too. The aftertaste does linger on your tongue, so go easy if you’re pouring it into a wrap!
Original Zingy Pepper Hot Sauce
The next grade down, this medium hot sauce is perfect for those more cautious with chilli, and is a great condiment for weekend treats like pizza, wings or burgers. With a peppery flavour and a subtly spicy aftertaste, it’s quickly become my go-to dipper for finger food.
Hot Tom Spicy Ketchup
That said, in fierce competition for dipping is the hot tom spicy ketchup, another great addition to the dinner table. Personally, I find the branded stuff a bit sickly sweet and insipid at times, so this thick, rich and spicy ketchup has quickly replaced the red stuff for my meals. Although my boyfriend, a fierce ambassador of the Heinz bottle, may disagree…
Mellow Pepper (Not So) Hot Sauce
Initially, we wondered what role this bottle would have in our culinary adventures. If it’s not such a hot sauce, what’s the point? However, we soon discovered that it makes a winning salad dressing, the perfect way to spice up a plate of greens. Vinaigrette, be gone!
Verdict
If you reach straight for the condiments and chilli flakes when you sit down to dinner, Sidekick is for you. This collection of hot sauces has something for every occasion, from the spice-addicts to those more timid of chilli. They may not blow your head off, but they are perfect for the dinner table.
