Igniting Flavor: My Journey to the Saucy Mama Recipe Contest with Buffalo Chicken Meatball Subs
It’s an immense honor to share my culinary adventure as one of the 25 distinguished food bloggers selected to compete in the highly anticipated Saucy Mama’s 2014 Recipe Contest. This opportunity isn’t just about cooking; it’s about pushing creative boundaries, celebrating exceptional flavors, and showcasing the versatility of Saucy Mama’s incredible range of sauces. The anticipation for this contest has been bubbling, and I’m thrilled to finally unveil the recipe I’ve poured my heart and soul into.
The Stakes are High: A Culinary Dream in Las Vegas
The grand prize for the winner of this prestigious contest is truly remarkable: a $1000 cash award and an all-expenses-paid trip to the World Food Championships in vibrant Las Vegas, Nevada, held every November. For a food blogger, this is more than just a prize; it’s a recognition of passion, skill, and innovative thinking. As contestants, we were each provided with a special blogger’s kit, a treasure trove of Saucy Mama products designed to inspire our entries. The moment this kit arrived at my doorstep felt like a momentous occasion, akin to a child waiting for Christmas morning.
Just look at this incredible haul!
My excitement was palpable. The box couldn’t be torn open fast enough, and as I unveiled the array of bottles, my foodie thinking cap was firmly on. The creative possibilities immediately began swirling in my mind. Each sauce promised a unique flavor profile, and I couldn’t wait to experiment. I must confess, every single sauce in that kit was absolutely AH-MAZING! The quality and depth of flavor in Saucy Mama’s products truly set them apart, making the task of selecting just one for the contest a delightful challenge.
A Symphony of Sauces: Unlocking Culinary Creativity
Our blogger kit was generously stocked with a fantastic selection of Saucy Mama’s finest: the sophisticated Four Leaf Balsamic Vinaigrette/Marinade, the sticky-sweet Honey Barbecue Wing Sauce, the classic Honey Dijon Dressing, the fiery Orange Habanero Wing Sauce, the essential Hot Wing Sauce, and the exotic Jamaican Jerk Wing Sauce. This diverse collection offered endless opportunities for culinary exploration, challenging us to think beyond conventional uses and create something truly memorable. We were tasked with submitting just one standout recipe, a decision that proved delightfully difficult given the array of options.
I had an absolute blast cooking and experimenting for my family with these sauces. While I’ll certainly be sharing more recipes featuring Saucy Mama products in the future, the dish I ultimately chose to present to Saucy Mama – and now to you – emerged from a deep-seated family favorite: hot wings. My family absolutely adores hot wings, and the moment I tasted Saucy Mama’s Hot Wing Sauce, I knew it had to be the star of my contest entry. Its robust flavor and perfect balance of heat and tang were simply irresistible, promising an authentic buffalo experience.
The Birth of a Brilliant Idea: Buffalo Chicken Meatball Subs
Saucy Mama challenged us to create a recipe within one of several categories: burger, sandwich, bacon, seafood, pasta, or cheese. The recipe also needed to be creative, fun to serve, and easily recreated by home cooks. Given my family’s love for hot wings and the irresistible appeal of Saucy Mama’s Hot Wing Sauce, I immediately gravitated towards creating a sandwich. My mind started deconstructing the quintessential hot wing experience: crispy white meat chicken wings, generously coated in spicy buffalo sauce, served with crisp celery sticks and creamy blue cheese dressing for dipping. How could I transform this classic into a new, exciting format that maintained its iconic flavor profile?
And then, the idea struck: a Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sub! This concept allowed me to encapsulate all the beloved elements of hot wings into a convenient, delicious sandwich. Instead of bone-in wings, I envisioned tender, flavorful chicken meatballs infused with that signature buffalo taste, nestled in a crusty hoagie roll, and topped with the classic accompaniments. It was a perfect marriage of comfort food and innovative presentation, promising a handheld delight that would satisfy any craving for spicy, savory goodness. This unique take on a classic ensures that the Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sub is not just a meal, but an experience.
Crafting the Perfect Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
To bring my vision to life, I began with the highest quality ingredients. I sourced premium ground chicken breast from my local butcher, ensuring it contained no funky additives – just pure, flavorful chicken. For a unique twist on breadcrumbs, I decided to crush pretzels. This not only provided the necessary binding for the meatballs but also introduced a subtle salty crunch and depth of flavor that elevated the overall experience, a delightful surprise that truly sets these meatballs apart. The slight saltiness of the pretzels beautifully complements the spicy buffalo sauce, adding an extra layer of complexity.
Using a small cookie dough scoop, I meticulously formed uniform meatballs. This not only ensured even cooking but also guaranteed they would be the perfect size to fit comfortably within a sub sandwich, making each bite a delightful mouthful without being unwieldy. The precision in forming these meatballs is key to their tender texture and overall attractive presentation, ensuring a consistent and enjoyable eating experience for everyone.
Next, I browned the meatballs on all sides in a skillet with a small amount of butter. This step is crucial for developing a rich, golden-brown crust and sealing in the juices, ensuring the meatballs remain moist and flavorful throughout the cooking process. The aroma filling my kitchen at this stage was absolutely intoxicating, a true testament to the deliciousness to come and a promise of the satisfying meal ahead.
Once beautifully browned, the meatballs were then gently simmered in a generous amount of Saucy Mama Hot Wing Sauce. This simmering stage is where the magic truly happens, allowing the meatballs to fully absorb the bold, spicy, and tangy flavors of the buffalo sauce, making them incredibly “saucy” and tender. They were kept warm in the sauce until ready to be served, ensuring every bite was piping hot and bursting with flavor, delivering that signature buffalo kick with every mouthful.
Assembling and Serving the Ultimate Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sub
The final assembly was straightforward yet crucial for achieving that authentic hot wing experience. I toasted some fresh hoagie rolls to a perfect golden crispness, providing a delightful textural contrast to the tender meatballs. Each roll was then generously filled with the piping hot, incredibly SAUCY meatballs. To complete the classic buffalo profile, I topped them with generous crumbles of rich, tangy blue cheese and a sprinkling of finely chopped fresh celery. The blue cheese offers a creamy, pungent counterpoint to the heat, while the celery provides that essential fresh crunch and cooling effect, mirroring the traditional hot wing platter.
These magnificent subs were served in rustic baskets, accompanied by a generous portion of crunchy kettle chips and, naturally, plenty of napkins! The combination of spicy, savory meatballs, creamy blue cheese, crisp celery, and a perfectly toasted roll was simply divine. It captured the essence of hot wings in an exciting, handheld format that’s both fun to eat and incredibly satisfying. The vibrant flavors and textures truly make this Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sub a memorable dish that’s perfect for any casual occasion.
This recipe proved to be the perfect blend of creativity, ease, and incredible flavor. It’s an ideal choice for a quick and easy weeknight meal when you’re craving something hearty and exciting, or as a show-stopping dish for a tailgate party, game day gathering, or casual get-together with friends. Its versatility and crowd-pleasing appeal make it a winning recipe in any context, guaranteed to be a hit with both adults and children alike.
Delicious Variations for Every Palate
Recognizing that not everyone shares the same love for spicy heat, and to cater to diverse tastes, I also prepared a few variations. For those who prefer a milder, creamier flavor profile, I drizzled some of the subs with a delicious ranch dressing. The cool, herby notes of the ranch provided a wonderful contrast to the buffalo chicken, offering an equally satisfying experience for ranch lovers and proving that this recipe is incredibly adaptable to personal preferences.
Although I didn’t get a chance to photograph it, I also created a special version for my youngest, who isn’t a fan of spice. Using Saucy Mama’s delightful Honey Barbecue Wing Sauce, I crafted a sweet and savory alternative that she absolutely adored. This highlights the adaptability of the Saucy Mama brand and how easily their products can be tailored to suit different preferences. These variations ensure that everyone at your table can enjoy a personalized and delicious Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sub experience, making it a truly inclusive meal for family and friends.
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Print Recipe
Saucy Mama ~ Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sub
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground chicken breast
- 1 egg slightly beaten, to bind meatballs
- 1 cup pretzels finely crushed for breadcrumbs
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 – 12 ounce bottle SAUCY MAMA Hot Wing Sauce or your favorite buffalo sauce
- 1 1/2 cups chopped celery for garnish and crunch
- Crumbled Blue Cheese for topping, adds classic tang
- 6 hoagie rolls warmed in the oven to achieve a crusty exterior
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken breast, finely crushed pretzels, slightly beaten egg, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands to thoroughly mix the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can make the meatballs tough.
- Using a small cookie scoop (approximately 1.5-inch diameter) or your hands, form the mixture into small, uniform meatballs. This size ensures they cook evenly and fit perfectly onto a sub roll.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the meatballs to the skillet, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the meatballs evenly on all sides, which should take about 15 minutes. This step develops a delicious crust and cooks the meatballs through.
- Pour the entire bottle of SAUCY MAMA Hot Wing Sauce over the browned meatballs in the skillet. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer the meatballs in the sauce until they are ready to serve. This allows them to absorb maximum flavor and stay tender.
- **Alternatively, for larger gatherings or longer holding times, you can transfer the browned meatballs and sauce to a slow cooker (crock pot) and keep them warm on the low setting until you’re ready to assemble and serve.**
- Preheat your oven to a low temperature or use a toaster oven to warm your hoagie rolls until the exterior is slightly crusty and the interior is soft. Slice them open, fill generously with the hot, saucy chicken meatballs, and then top with crumbled blue cheese and fresh chopped celery for the authentic buffalo experience. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Explore More Saucy Mama Flavors!
Have you been inspired to create your own culinary masterpiece with Saucy Mama sauces? Their diverse range, from tangy vinaigrettes to sweet and spicy wing sauces, truly offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to elevate your everyday meals, Saucy Mama products provide the perfect foundation for bold and delicious flavors. I highly recommend exploring their full line to discover new favorites and unleash your inner culinary artist! Imagine the possibilities with their Four Leaf Balsamic or the kick of their Orange Habanero. Each sauce is crafted with quality ingredients, ensuring a gourmet touch to every dish.
I hope you enjoy making these Buffalo Chicken Meatball Subs as much as my family and I do. Don’t forget to share your creations and experiences with Saucy Mama and your friends! Happy cooking!