Hipster Condiments From Home

One of the biggest trends of the artisanal food movements is freshly made condiments. A new generation is discovering what their great -grandparents made on a weekly basis homemade mayos and ketchups, not to mention sauces . Any of these are a great addition to the summer menu, heightening the taste of ordinary meats and salads,

Mayo is always in demand.It gives a creaminess to dry sandwiches and helps with creating tasty dressings. It's also relatively easy to whip up.It's taking one egg and mixing both the yolk and the white with lemon juice,dry mustard and distilled or white vinegar. Some recipes call for minced garlic for more of an aioli taste. After these have been blended it's then adding a steady stream of either canola, vegetable,  or olive oils. I would go for the last , simply for the flavor and richness it gives. You can also add a small dash of paprika or for more color and flavor, dried parsley, tarragon or basil. Can the all time favorite Miracle Whip be duplicated in a home kitchen? Yes and it has a surprising ingredient -powdered sugar!! It 's sort of like mayonnaise however with a thicker, pastier texture. This comes from making a roux out of water, dry mustard,flour and white or distilled vinegar.  It's cooked over a low flame and then added to the mayo mixture. Remember homemade mayo and Miracle Whip contain raw egg which is risky for pregnant women, the elderly and the very young.If you're leery about using the raw egg, then switch in aquafaba or chickpea water.It creates the same density as an egg would and just as easy to make. The only difference is adding a table of rice or maple syrup for more flavor..

Ketchup is another table must have, especially if you cook up a lot of burgers and steaks. It's great to make in the summer thanks to the abundance of tomatoes. Just keep in mind you  will need  A LOT of them - namely five pounds. Thankfully there are plenty of farmer's markets plus farm stands to buy them from.Apple cider vinegar is also called for to give it that tart taste as well as Dijon mustard and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper. Honey is also added for sweetness along with a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon. Some recipes call for two thirds of a cup of white sugar too, along with celery salt. Ketchup does require a slow cooker and it's usually a four to six hour cook.Once you've made ketchup it's an easy leap to making barbecue sauce. Ketchup is the main ingredient in any barbecue sauce. It also requires apple cider vinegar for that distinctive bite along with light brown sugar, dried mustard and Worcestershire sauce, Some recipes do call for molasses but you could sub in dark honey instead for a less intense sweetness..Lemon juice and onion powder are also added to the mix and the entire sauce is cooked in a slow cooker for six to eight hours.If you want to add zing then, pour in a cup of Tennessee bourbon or whiskey. Bourbon barbecue sauce  is good slathered on beef ribs, or even pulled pork.

Look to artisanal condiments to give your backyard grilling some oomph. this season. They're easy to make, without any fuss.It's a great way of bringing the hip and the old fashioned back to family cook outs.

Chicken Your Way

Chicken is one of the most versatile meats, especially now during barbecue season.It can be marinated , dipped in sauce or even coated to create a tasty lunch or dinner. What is great is that almost every flavor goes with it ,It could be citrus-y, garlicky or boozy. It will still come out flavorful.

Wings and legs are the best parts of the chicken for grilling. A whole one will have to be butterflied or spatchcocked to make sure every section is grilled. Grocery stores sell both and sometimes in a combined package. David Tanis wrote about wings in his City Kitchen column in Wednesday's New York Times Food section. He suggests getting the meatier wings or drumettes. It makes for a more filling eat. Less meatier pieces can be over marinated too , Meatier kinds soak a marinade but aren't overpowered by it. Do the pieces have to be prepped before being placed in any kind of sauce? No, in fact most chefs will tell you don't wash the pieces. Just start right away with what you want to do with them. The next step is deciding just what to do.. Longing for crunch ?  Then batter them and for a healthier chew  cook them on the grill. Marinating is another way to go. It's also a way to get creative with tweaking old recipes or create a new one. Another idea is just grilling the pieces and dipping them in any kind of sauce.

What ingredients work the best with wings and legs? Almost any kind. Mr. Tanis goes the Roman and Greek route with lemon and rosemary.Garlic and red pepper flakes give them zing. Although he bakes them on fingerling potatoes in the oven, they  can also be roasted on the grill. I would cook them separately and even would put the potatoes on the gill, for a crunchy , smoky side.  Lime can also be used  and is especially flavorful when mixed with soy and honey Orange can also add zing to chicken legs and wings. What is so great about this citrus fruit can be paired with honey for a sweet glaze or added to teriyaki sauce for a savory treat. Want more of a kick? Then use bourbon to spice it up.It's a sweet mix of the liquor and pineapple juice Hoisin and Worcestershire sauce are also added to balance out the flavors. Whiskey can also be used in a marinade. Just be sure that it's tempered with soy sauce or tamari.Another way to go is grill the chicken and dip the pieces into an old fashioned barbecue sauce. It 's a combination of ketchup, molasses and Worcestershire sauce with cayenne and garlic powders. You can add freshly chopped onions or onion powder along with shallots and scallions.


Chicken is a versatile meat that can be zinged up with any flavor.Try legs and wings in any combination for a tasty meal. Whatever ingredients work, go with them for a delicious barbecue.