Sauce Piquante
A hearty and flavorful sauce featuring tender meat in a rich tomato and vegetable base, perfect for family dinners or special gatherings craving bold Southern flavors.
Ingredients
- turtle, squirrel or rabbit ⓘ
- 1 c. olive oil
- 2 onions, chopped ⓘ
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 4 cans tomato sauce ⓘ
- 3 cans Ro-Tel tomatoes ⓘ
- 2 cans cream of celery soup ⓘ
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
- 6 bay leaves ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. sweet relish ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped olives
- 4 tsp. Kitchen Bouquet ⓘ
- 4 c. parsley or parsley flakes ⓘ
Instructions
- Season the meat and brown it in olive oil.
- Add chopped onions and bell peppers to the meat.
- Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add tomato sauce, cream of celery soup, cream of mushroom soup, sweet relish, chopped olives, Kitchen Bouquet, parsley, and water.
- Cook until the meat is tender.
- Add bay leaves.
- Cook for an additional 10 minutes and remove the bay leaves.
- Season to taste with red and black peppers, garlic powder, Season-All salt, lemon pepper, and Tony Chachere Creole seasoning.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to enhance the spice level. If you can't find turtle or prefer a different protein, chicken or pork can be excellent substitutes. When browning the meat, ensure it gets a good sear for added depth in flavor. If you're short on time, using pre-chopped vegetables can speed up the prep process.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Sauce Piquante over steamed rice or with warm crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. It pairs beautifully with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal. For an extra kick, consider serving with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dash of hot sauce. This dish also makes an excellent filling for tacos or burritos.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Sauce Piquante in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the sauce thickens too much during storage, add a splash of water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sauce Piquante contains roughly 1890 calories, with 63g protein, 359g carbohydrates, and 62g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (397% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (320% of the Daily Value), and iron (222% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Sauce Piquante ahead of time?
Yes, Sauce Piquante can be made ahead of time and actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld. Just store it in the refrigerator after it cools down and reheat when ready to serve.
Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Absolutely! You can substitute the meat with hearty vegetables like mushrooms and eggplant, or use plant-based protein options like tempeh or seitan. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure everything is tender.
What should I do if the sauce is too thick?
If your Sauce Piquante turns out too thick, simply add a little water or broth to loosen it up. Stir well and let it simmer for a few minutes to incorporate the added liquid.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).