For The Union-Tribune
If you’re a fan of any of the 19 varieties of Bitchin’ Sauce and wondered how else you can enjoy them beyond dipping, you’re in luck. The local company’s Starr Edwards has just published “Sauced.”, a cookbook with recipes for 30 bowls that feature flavors from Apple Pie, Chocolate and Creamy Garlic to Cilantro Chili, Bombay, Pesto and Roasted Green Chile and Pipita.
I’ve been a fan of the original and Chipotle flavors since I was first introduced to Bitchin’ Sauce at the Hillcrest Farmers Market eons ago. They were marketed as delicious vegan dips since the base is made primarily with raw almonds, but the vegan part was significantly less important to me than the fact that the flavors were so addictive. “Enjoy them with chips or fresh vegetables” was my motto.
It hadn’t occurred to me to actually cook with them, which is what this cookbook details. Their website, bitchinsauce.com, has a recipe section that’s filled with all sorts of ideas, many of which — if they’re bowls — are now included in the book.
“Sauced.” (2026, $29.99) (Bitchin’ Sauce)
Some, like the Burger Bowl — which sets a ground patty made with Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, atop a salad featuring caramelized onion, lettuce, tomato slices and pickle chips — showcases the Special Sauce as a generous drizzle over the salad and then the burger patty.
Other recipes incorporate a sauce flavor in the dish itself. So, the Risotto adds Creamy Garlic sauce to the preparation of the Marry Me Risotto. And I marinated a salmon filet for the Southwest Salmon bowl in the Cilantro Chili sauce before roasting it. It came out moist and tangy.
The bowls include both savory (breakfast chilaquiles with Verde and Creamy Jalapeño sauces) and sweet breakfast dishes (granola incorporating Salted Caramel sauce), plays on traditional salads (Cobb with Caramelized Onion sauce or Thai Beef with Sriracha sauce) and main courses like Blackened Shrimp & Grits, Pork Roast and Meatballs.
Many recipes come with a suggested wine pairing. All feature a full page photo.
You can order “Sauced. 30 Bitchin’ Bowls” ($29.99) on the company’s website, at bitchinsauce.com/products/sauced-30-bitchin-bowls. Sauces are available for purchase online and in most major supermarkets.