While this blog has loads of excellent ideas for meals, snacks, and other nomulous goodies, it doesn’t tell you how to survive when what you make doesn’t exactly look/taste/smell as good as expected. This post is to help you when the situation strikes.
A mantra I live by is ‘Enough hot sauce and anything can taste good’ has helped me recover what would otherwise be a disastrous snack or meal. Here are some of my favorites.
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Tapatío
Tapatío is there if you want to make something burny spicy. I’ll be the first to admit that doesn’t sound very nice, but I like burny… most times. It can overcome flavors that are otherwise unpleasant. Whether it’s the sauce laying waste to your taste buds or enhancing the flavor is up for debate. Bottom line : It works.
Cholula
This hot sauce is milder than Tapatio, and that’s alright. It adds more flavor as opposed to burning, and that’s pretty badass. It certainly adds spice, don’t get me wrong. But it’s mild enough that it shouldn’t tear your mouth apart when mixing it in with / topping something. Bonus : It also comes in a chipotle variety.
( *m*)
Sriracha
Pronounced ‘cock sauce’,* this chili sauce is divine. It really goes on most anything really really well. It works best with rice dishes, in my opinion, but I’ll reiterate that any food will fall before Sriracha.
Moore’s Buffalo Wing Sauce
This sauce has become my new mistress of sorts. To me, the balance of spice and flavor is excellent. It adds a little salty flavor (from the vinegar), and a good amount of spice that won’t leave you on the toilet the next morning wondering if you dropped the soap on the show Oz. A special note : Buffalo wing sauces often use butter as an ingredient. Moore’s does not, and uses margarine instead. This is very important to look out for if you want to keep your vegan powers.
Salsa
While not really hot sauce, per se, salsa can be the missing ingredient when salvaging a meal. You’ll be getting additional veggies and salt (depending on how you or the manufacturer prepares it), as well as something to enhance/drown the flavor of your food. Keep some on hand just in case.
As you venture forth into the vegan unknown, there are some tools you will want to keep handy so as to save what you will undoubtedly spend what seems like endless time preparing. Granted, this is true for all culinary learning experiences, not just for vegans. However, as a vegan you may find yourself cooking for yourself more than you ever did before. The take home message here is to not throw it out if it’s gnarly; try using some spicy condiments instead. What are some of your tricks to save meals that don’t quite come out right?
*Not really, but it appeals to my inner 12 year-old
Turning Veganese 
I’m a hit sauce wimp! But I do love Chipotle Tabasco. Good on all kinds of things!
Sriracha makes EVERYTHING taste better.
Love this! I wish I’d thought of slathering some hot sauce on my disappointing vegan burger I had tonight…mmm. hot sauce. It solves everything.
I’m a big fan of melt-your-face-off spicy… and garlic.
Hey hey hey, I’m Oz!I’m vegan and also I’m working in a ltilte tiny-miny vegan-cafe9 (in İstanbul/Turkey). Today we had a meeting with other vegan people and I showed this blog of yours to them. They loved it. And also they wanted to host you guys in here. Amazing!So-cool here,Cheers and cherries xx
Holy smokes! On behalf of the TV crew, we’re flattered and would like to thank you for spreading the word. When we make it to Turkey, we’ll be sure to look you up!