what is HP Sauce and what does it taste like?

[pikiliz]

I have seen this bottle called HP sauce in my Publix grocery store here in Florida. Located in the ethnic section even though I think it is from England what does it taste like and how should I use it?? as a marinade, side sauce or cooking sauce??

[kizil]

Husband Pleasing Steak Sauce! (That was one of their ad campaigns, some years ago.)

I believe it's similar to A-1.

[Harters]

In Britain it's the biggest seller of our "brown sauces". Use as a sauce much as you might with ketchup (which in some places we might call "red sauce"). Difficult to describe the taste precisely but perhaps think of it as a very vinegary ketchup. It's traditional use would be on the side with a fried breakfast. Or any sausage dish.

[smartie]

it's HP after the Houses of Parliament of which there is a silhouette on the label.

It's a little thinner and runnier than ketchup, slightly vinegary, slightly spicy and fruity. I love a dash of it in my shepherd's pie to spice it up a little, but it's great with fried eggs, veggie baked beans and fried tomatoes with toast. I don't think it's too much like A1 which is even runnier and stronger tasting.
try it.

[Cathy]

HP first six ingredients: Water, vinegar, dates, tomato paste, molasses, tamarind

A1 first six:Tomato puree (water, tomato paste), vinegar,corn syrup, salt, raisin paste, crushed orange puree

[pikiliz]

Thank you for your replies i will try it

[FrankDrakman]

Once you try HP with eggs, you'll never go back to ketchup! It also goes great with cheese - either with a grilled cheese sandwich, or cheese melted on toast, or just a cheese plate. The sharpness of HP contrasts very nicely with the creaminess of the cheese.

A-1 is a close approximation, but it's runnier, so it doesn't adhere to the food as well as HP. When I travel to the US, where HP is virtually unknown, I ask for A-1 with my breakfast. Never fails to get a curious stare from the waitress.

[Harters]

Interesting - I think the American product must be made to a slightly different formula to the UK original, based on the ingredients you list. Our labelling laws don't require water to be mentioned on such as a product but first six listed in order of volume - malt vinegar (from barley), tomatoes, molasses, spirit vinegar, glucose-fructose syrup, dates.

[paulj]

I looked at a bottle the other day that had that ingredients list. I noted in particular the 'glucose-fructose syrup' which also had '(from wheat)'. It was marked as a product of Holland. That syrup is a European equivalent to HFCS.

[Harters]

HP Foods must have manufacturing plants all over Europe - my current bottle was produced in Spain.

[Janet from Richmond]

I like HP sauce. To me it's thicker and less sharp than A1 but very flavorful.

[mojoeater]

My uncle who grew up in Galway has HP shipped over. Says you simply cannot get the real version here in the states. He uses it on everything, though it is only on the table at breakfast time.

[pikiliz]

Tried on eggs this today I have to say pretty good well really good but very pricey

[haggisdragon]

lived in the south of scotland when i was a kid. at lunch time all the highschool kids would go acrooss the street to the chip shop for chip rolls with "brown sauce". I love it with sausage and eggs over easy. thanks for reminding me, i have to get a bottle!