The first thing I’ll say about MJ’s Kick Ass Hot Sauce is that it’s made in Somerville, Massachusetts, which is also home to my favorite barbecue restaurant, Redbones. To my knowledge, there’s no connection between the two, but there should be. This is a rich, very full-flavored sauce that is all about making good food better.

The ingredients themselves suggest that MJ is a true foodie. First on the list is green habanero pepper instead of the more typical red and orange ones. That’s followed by white onion (which is distinctly sharper than yellow onion), cilantro, garlic, rice vinegar, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

This is definitely an original recipe and even before tasting it I was sure I would like it a lot. When I did taste it, I was struck by the pronounced citrus taste. The effect was that the sauce was much more of a lip licker than an ass kicker. But given the acidic presence of the rice vinegar and the lime juice, and the flavor-producing herbs and onions, my first thought was that I wanted to use it as a marinade.

I wish I’d had a nice oily fish like a tuna or a bluefish on hand, but didn’t. Instead, I marinated some boneless chicken breasts I had cut up for a stir fry. (I do plan to use Kick Ass on fish, though, and given the prominence of the lime juice, it would also make a truly kick ass ceviche.) I marinated the chicken for about half an hour, then stir fried it with garlic, red pepper, green beans, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Even with the sweetness of the oyster sauce, the chicken held the heat and spice of the Kick Ass marinade. I added more Kick Ass to the dish after plating it and was in heaven.

Getting back to the barbecue mention at the start of this review, MJ’s Kick Ass Hot Sauce would be great with grilled ribs or brisket. The Worcestershire, garlic, and paprika in the sauce would bring out the flavor of any cut of beef, and the green habaneros, which, being unripe, are somewhat milder than orange or red habaneros, add a moderate bite that will keep this bottle by your grill all summer long.

Buy MJ’s Kick Ass Hot Sauce

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