Condiment Recipes

What Are Condiments?

Years ago, the term “condiments” referred to a few relishes and sauces, but today it refers to any type of mixture used to enhance the flavor of food, whether it is a sauce, powder, or spread. These types of seasonings come in many flavors, textures, and colors and can be used with a nearly limitless range of foods.

Types of condiments include:

• Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, steak sauce, and other “classic” sauces
• Hot sauces, including horseradish, salsa, and Tabasco
• Ethnic-inspired sauces such as wasabi, chutney, sauerkraut, and soy sauce
• Casual enhancers such as tartar sauce, fry sauce, and cocktail sauce
• Fruit butters or oil dips for breads
• Cheese toppers used with appetizers

Many restaurants also create their own specialized condiments, such as house dressings, barbeque sauces, and “secret” sauces for burgers, fries, and other popular meals. Condiments represent a $3 billion industry, with today’s trends leaning toward exotic, spicy concoctions, particularly with Mexican, Caribbean, or Jamaican tastes. Organic sauces are also exceedingly popular.

Condiment Tips

When making homemade varieties, feel free to experiment with different spices, additives, and proportions to create a unique and distinctive taste. While the basic ingredients should remain constant, the seasonings can easily be adjusted to suit individual preferences.

The key to delicious condiments may not be in the preparation at all, but in the presentation. Always serve sauces with appropriate utensils to make seasoning food easy and convenient (small serving spoons, squirt bottles, etc.), and place condiments in a common area, particularly for often-embellished foods such as burgers and hot dogs. Exotic varieties are best displayed in attractive dishes to focus attention on their uniqueness and consider providing crackers, pretzel sticks, or other small foods for dipping to allow guests to taste the sauce first.