Sauces (including hot sauce)

Sauces come in a wide variety of types, each adding unique flavors, textures, and characteristics to dishes.  Popular sauces include soy-based sauces or stir fry options in Asian cooking,  dipping sauces, hot sauces and barbecue sauce with smoky, tangy notes in American cuisine. Sauces can be thick and creamy, like Alfredo, or thin and tangy, like vinaigrettes. They enhance the flavor, moisture, and appearance of dishes, serving as both a complement and a defining feature of many meals.