The term “country cooking” is popular throughout the culinary world, but it is often used to describe a wide variety of meals. The experts at Steve T. Hots & Potatoes in Rochester, NY, understand the confusion associated with the terminology, so they're offering a detailed explanation of what it all means. From hot sauce to hamburgers, find out exactly what qualifies as country cooking below.

What Is Country Cooking?

Country cooking is more of a feeling than a specific arrangement of dishes. Often called "comfort food," the term refers to meals that evoke an emotion for the person eating. Typically, such dishes consist of strong flavors like onions and ingredients native to the region in which you live. What's considered country cooking in Louisiana is vastly different than dishes of the same sentiment in New York.

More importantly than ingredients, food that falls into this category offers a step back in time and evokes memories of the past. For one person, a hamburger with a particular set of toppings is all it takes to achieve comfort, while another individual may turn to hots and potatoes when they're feeling sentimental. There are both regional and personal qualifications for what country cooking means.

How Does Hot Sauce Fit Into Country Cooking?

Across the various areas of the U.S., country cooking has one common denominator: hot sauce. Often considered a staple in southern cuisine, hot sauce made its first commercial appearance in Massachusetts back in 1807. Since then, every area of the country has manufactured its own version of the spicy sauce, building on the original base of chili pepper and adding unique spins that represent the flavors of their region.

Essentially, hot sauce serves as a taste of home, which is why it's so popular in country cooking regardless of the region in which you live. In Rochester, Steve T. Hots & Potatoes’ hot sauce is famous, and locals not only love it on their burgers, but they also buy a bottle to take home so they can experience that taste anytime.

Just because you live in a city doesn't mean you can't enjoy country cooking. Steve T. Hots & Potatoes is open around the clock every day to meet the needs of their customers. Whether you need a plate of comfort food or a taste of home, the locally owned, 24-hour restaurant offers delicious, soul-warming dishes. Plan your ideal meal ahead of time by browsing their menu online, and learn more about their famous hot sauce by calling (585) 429-6388.