Hot Maple! Review, Recipe, & GIVEAWAY!

Hey Ya'll, recently I came across a really great vegan-friendly, made in the USA (based out of Portland), product called Hot Maple Smokey Habanero Sauce from Hot Maple Foods and was lucky enough to get my hands on some. Hot Maple uses maple syrup instead of sugar. What I love about this company is that not only do they use the syrup for flavoring, but also for sustainability. The process of harvesting and refining maple syrup is much more environmentally friendly than other sugars. Also, what I love about maple syrup is that you know it did not go through a bone-char refining process that many white sugars and sweeteners do. With that being said, Hot Maple is a great hot sauce for us vegan folk! And one of you will be winning a bottle...

Hot Maple has a subtle maple flavor but is not overpoweringly maple flavored whatsoever. My husband and I love spicy and I'm somewhat of a hot sauce snob; I must say this is really spicy stuff. I really enjoyed the smokey, spicy, with a hint of sweet flavor.

The texture is really lovely since it is slightly chunky. I love a really delicious, textured hot sauce that is not watery and runny. This hot sauce would be great in any recipe but I think especially great in Mexican dishes like salsa, guacamole, tacos, etc. Here is the first of many recipes I will post using Hot Maple. I made this rustic potatoes and vegan sausage dish that can be served as a hearty side or alone as a meal. I chose to make this dish using Hot Maple Smokey Habanero Sauce because I feel that the ingredients, especially the potatoes, compliment the flavors in the hot sauce, especially the warmness of the habanero and maple.

Rustic Spicy Potatoes and "Sausage"

What you will need:

6 medium potatoes, cleaned, quartered, and boiled

3 tbsp olive oil

2 cups frozen peas

1 14oz package vegan sausage, cut into chunks

1/2 cup vegetable stock

1 vegan bouillon cube, any flavor

1/4 cup Hot Maple Smokey Habanero Sauce

Sea salt & black pepper to taste

What you will need to do:

Boil potatoes, drain and set aside. In a large pan, heat olive oil and cook frozen peas until thawed. Then add in sausage and cook for a moment or so. Next, add potatoes and remaining ingredients and cook until thoroughly warmed and combined. Enjoy!

Okay, I know you are all waiting for me to tell you how can win this 5oz bottle of Hot Maple Smokey Habanero sauce, right?! In order to enter my Hot Maple giveaway, all you have to do is:

1. Comment below and tell me what you will make with this Hot Maple if you win! AND
2. Follow me on twitter: @theDirtyVegan and Tweet about the contest (mention @theDirtyVegan to get credit)!

Tweet and comment as much as you'd like! Each additional Comment and Tweet after your initial entry are BONUS entries! 

I will choose the winner this Saturday, February 22nd at 8:00 PM EST, so until then, enter away! Good luck, this is a very spicy prize!