Dine and Dish

A few weeks ago I received an e-mail from David Rock, a rep for a product called Nandos Peri Peri Sauces. He was wondering if he could send me some of their products to try and then review. I took a look at their website and found out that Nandos is a company that manufacturers basting, cooking and marinade sauces as well as rubs and spices derived from the peri-peri chilli pepper. These products were right up my alley, so I agreed and within a few days a big package of goodies arrived on my doorstep.

 My package from David included the Medium Peri Peri Sauce, Hot Peri Peri marinade, and the Peri-Peri Coconut Curry cooking sauce. Also included was a nifty looking T-Shirt that my husband seems to have adopted for his own.

I was very eager to give these products a try but wasn't quite sure which one to try first. Lucky for me, the May 2007 issue of Food and Wine magazine appeared on my doorstep a few days later and included in the issue was a recipe for a  Jamaican Chicken Rub that required the use of hot sauce. At first bite, I noticed a difference in what I was tasting. You know how with most spicy foods, the spice tends to overpower the flavor of whatever you are eating? Well, with this hot sauce, you can still taste the food. The flavor of the chicken and the spices in the rub came through loud and clear and then...a short while after my first bite... the heat hit. It was truly delicious.

I love hot and spicy food, but I hate it when the heat of the food makes my eyes water, sets my mouth on fire and completely overpowers whatever I am tasting. Nandos has hot sauce down to a science. It truly is a unique product.

Later in the week I needed a quick and tasty dinner. I opened my pantry and the first thing I noticed was the Nando's Coconut Curry sauce sitting on the shelf. I got it out and looked at the directions. You simply cook your meat, add whatever veggies you want, pour the sauce over all of it and cook through. As my son would say "Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy". This was exactly what I needed on a hectic weeknight. As dinner was cooking the aroma that filled my kitchen was divine. I couldn't wait to take my first bite. Delicious! Just like with the hot sauce, you could actually taste the blended flavors in the food and then a short while later, the taste of the "heat" kicked in. How Nando's does this, I have no idea. What I do know is that I am officially addicted.

Nandos has such a variety of products to choose from. I personally cannot wait to give their Grinders/Rubs a try as well as some of their other cooking sauces. If you like the "heat" of spicy food but also like to actually taste what you are eating, head over to the Nando's site and see what stores are in your area. If you can't find any stores, you can always feed your addiction by shopping online through their website. Don't say I didn't warn you... be prepared to be addicted.