Scott Tharp’s family tradition will get you sauced.
By Jynx Jenkins
Photos Courtesy of Scott Tharp
During the holiday season, family traditions abound. And, from festive gatherings of friends and family to the more intimate moments shared between you and those you love, many of those traditions are centered on food.
Scott Tharp is so sure you’ll want to share his family’s tradition that he’s bottled it. This summer, the towering Tharp joined his partners in opening a full bottling facility in Garden City for My Family Tradition BBQ and Cooking Sauces – an all-natural line of seasonings and sauces based on those Tharp grew up with.
According to Tharp, MFT’s sauce line gets a “pure tomato start,”. Then comes a short list of natural ingredients like 100% natural honey and rich, vibrant spice blends. Blend it up, and you’ll find that the only thing missing from MFT’s five mouthwatering varieties is high fructose corn syrup, additives, and gluten.
One taste, and it’s clear that MFT’s rub and sauce line shouldn’t be chained to your backyard grill. While each variety makes for a distinct brisket, barbecued chicken or pork shoulder, Tharp is passionate that his handcrafted products are perfect additions to vegetables, seafood, and as a flavor-boosting cooking sauce – like in MFT’s Buffalo Meatballs, a consistent hit at their regular tasting and cooking events.
For many of us, the thought of barbecue at the holidays is usually as distant as the thought of tubing the Boise River. But bringing MFT’s products to your holiday party can heat up even the coldest winter night. Try MFT’s famous Buffalo Meatballs with one of their spicier sauce varieties, like Hot or Extra Hot BBQ, complete with the famed Ghost Pepper. Or, for a perfectly seasonal twist, try using MFT’s Chocolate Raspberry BBQ Sauce for a rich and tangy-sweet combo that Tharp says is one of their “number one sellers”.
Chocolate Raspberry Buffalo Meatballs
1 lb. ground buffalo
1 lb. ground sirloin
1 lb. ground pork
2 cups oatmeal
4 eggs
3 tsp. MFT’s Bittick’s Rub
1 bunch scallions
½ cup MFT Sauce (we like Chocolate Raspberry BBQ)
Preheat oven to 300° F.
Combine buffalo, sirloin, pork, eggs, oatmeal, rub and half of scallions in a large bowl and mix just to incorporate. Do not over work mixture. Roll meatballs to desired size. (Hint: Golf ball sized meatballs are perfect for entrees, while smaller meatballs are desirable for appetizers. Keep size uniform for cooking consistency.)
Pan sear all meatballs in batches until golden brown. Place browned meatballs snuggly in a large baking dish and glaze with Chocolate Raspberry BBQ Sauce. Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, re-glaze if necessary and return meatballs to oven on broiler setting at 400° F. Broil for 5 minutes to caramelize sauce. Remove from oven, move meatballs to serving vessel and garnish with remaining chopped green onion and serve with additional MFT sauce.
