BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,BBQ Chef
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 10:52 PM

Sorcha,

I have one partial jar of Woody's left. I am using it to compare taste when creating. It is an unusual and somewhat bitter taste that flavors meat while it cooks. This is entirely different from the taste of a sweeter BBQ sauce that is used when meat is served. I think it will be enlightening to hear how others on this site comment. (We could get magnificent improvements!)

I do not believe that there is a wonderful substitute for a thickener with this sauce. I would suggest calling the health food store in Ft. Collins first. If that store does not have it, then maybe there will be suggestion provided for another store. I will talk to my contact here and help you if I can. Stay tuned! BBQ Chef

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 10:33 PM

About using tamarind: I use it in my Indian food recipes. Look at an Indian grocer or the India section of Whole Foods. (those near big cities- hey, Wyoming, I'm from Black Hills orig.) It comes in a jar by the brand name "Tamcon" Tamarind Concentrate. Tamarind also comes in a compressed block to cut a piece off and steep in hot water like a tea. It tones down the heat and tastes sour/bitter.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 09:34 PM

OK, thanks....but, the big problem is that I don't know what this stuff (the Real Stuff) actually tastes like. I'd never heard of it before this thread.

Gotcha about the onions. When there is a great plenty of them I use the electric meat grinder, bag and freeze.

Never heard of Whole Foods either. I'm in the extreme SE corner of Wyoming, north of Cheyenne. It isn't very far (West Wise!) to Ft. Collins, Colorado where there is a great health food store.

Substitute thickener? Flour? cornstarch? arrowroot? cream of tartar?

When I put anchovies in Worch. sauce I use filets and smoosh them really well. The sauce is strained before jarring and I never see any chunks of fish either.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,BBQ Chef
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 08:11 PM

Sorcha, Thank you for the correction. I use Wesson Canola Oil.

You can find xanthan gum at the Whole Foods store on Preston Rd in Dallas, TX. This store has a concierge you can consult. She knows the Woody's story. I do not know if there is a Whole Foods where you live. Try an "advanced" search on Google. If you will let me know where you live, I will help you find it. This ingredient is essential to thicken the sauce.

I run about half (or more) of an average size white onion through the food processor before beginning, and then add it to the mixture in a liquid/processed form. I do not know if this is really necessary; it is just the way I do it. (Note: I drop those little anchovies in one-by-one and they vanish in the mix just fine. The onion chunks would probably do the same. Please let me know :--)

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 07:44 PM

Erm, Canola OR soybean oil? Canola isn't soybean. It's rape seed oil.
Where do I find xanthan gum?
What is 'previously processed onion'? Onion powder?

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,BBQ Chef
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 07:40 PM

BBQ Chef's Sauce

Add the following ingredients to a large food processor. Add the liquid smoke, soy sauce lite, as well as the jalapeno juice last to adjust taste as you add. (This is to the best of my memory. Please post your suggestions and improvements!)

2 tbsp water
three 6-ounce cans of tomato paste
2 tbsp canola oil (soybean oil)
2 tbsp white vinegar
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 to 3/4 white onion (previously processed
4 tsp Mrs. Dash
1/2 tsp Accent
10 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp xanthan gum powder
3 tsp tamarind paste
2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
2-ounce can of anchovies (with most oil drained out)
4 tsp lemon juice
5 tbsp soy sauce lite ***
8 tbsp liquid smoke (Colgin Hickory Liquid Smoke) ***
8 tsp jalapeno juice only (from Vlasic sliced jalapeno jar) ***

*** Add last to blender and adjust to taste.

Note: I do not know how this keeps in the frig. My husband takes it all to the smoker and smokes every piece of meat in sight immediately. There is not any left!

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,BBQ chef
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 06:19 PM

Try Jardine's smokey mesquite BBQ sauce as an alternative for now. It is a little more sweet than Woodys, but good. Also, try Austin's Own. Both can be purchased at Whole Foods.

My Faux Woodys is rather lengthy, and I will submit later. I achieved some of the bitter taste by adding several tablespoons of jalepeno juice from a jar of sliced jalepenos. I know that wasn't in the ingredients listed on the Woody's label, but could this be the secret in the sauce??? I would be interested to hear your opinions.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,Dick Manning Seattle
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 11:19 AM

I just went to three different stores that have always carried Woody's and they have none. They don't know what happened. Our family has used this cooking sauce since the 1940's right after the war. It is unique. We found it works best on lamb and beef. I'm e-mailing both Reily Foods and the take over company of Woody's. The longer this product stays out of production, the less likely it will ever come back. Let's keep up the static.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: ClaireBear
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 09:32 AM

Tom, that is magnificent in its simplicity (whaps self in forehead with heel of hand). We should indeed be doing that!

Here is Reily Foods' product page. Out in California as I am, Luzianne coffee and Swans Down cake flour are about the only ones I recognize.

Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: curmudgeon
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 08:21 PM

You folks might try, when writing the company, to politely inform them that you will refrain from purchasing ANY of their products until Woody's is again available, and that you will advise everyone you know, including Mudcatters, to do likewise -- Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: ClaireBear
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 08:06 PM

Try the original Stubb's. The ingredients are closer to Woody's, I think...less sugar than the other Stubb's varieties, anyway. Certainly not a replacement, though!

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,Debbie in CA
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 08:01 PM

I wrote to Luzianne and got exactly the same answer that was posted by Gumbotex on 6/28/07. Brenda must be sending out a standardized response. I had asked for specific reasons as to why they cancelled but she didn't give any reasons. I bought some of the Stubbs Smoky Mesquite sauce and have used it on my filet mignon twice now. It doesn't even begin to compare to Woody's. I have lost all my desire to BBQ and I BBQ at least 3 nights a week, every week, all year long. This is depressing!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,Margaret
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 07:06 PM

Just curious if anyone knows how expensive the brand would be to buy? Probably a couple of million, huh?

Keep it up Claire...you might get the recipe going and Reilly's will end up being the loser.

Margaret

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: ClaireBear
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 06:17 PM

I haven't gotten a response from them at all -- possibly they're not very happy with me for (A) starting up this thread and (B) trying to duplicate the recipe, not necessarily in that order.

So, those of you who are better connected, please keep us all apprised. Boy, do I wish I had the bucks to buy the brand!

I LOVE the Soldotna story. Keep 'em coming!

Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: JBryanB
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 12:18 AM

I've checked on-line and haven't found any current patents and/or trademark restrictions concerning "Woody's Cook-in Sauce" "Barbeque Concentrate".
The recipe probably is lost to the company at this point in time however, the name,along with the original recipe would be enough for the generations of us who KNOW the real thing.
I now have 39 jars and my family is SCRAMBLIN' !!!

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,HCTrouble
Date: 31 Jul 07 - 10:03 PM

Hello fellow Woody's lovers. I sent my email to Luzianne. Did you guys get a response from them? I figure we all got the same response! I got another email from a guy at Reily Foods the other day. It said, "Keep the faith...that chubby lady's not singin' yet! Stay in touch, please." It was from Tom Nall, email address [e-mail]. Please don't give up guys. We gotta get our Woody's back!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,Guest_jane
Date: 31 Jul 07 - 05:11 PM

I have everybody in the family searching for Woody's. My daughter just got back from the Kenai peninsula in Alaska, where she was leading music for a youth camp. I almost did cartwheels when she produced from her suitcase one jar of Woody's that she found at an old Safeway store outside Soldotna. Her colleagues thought she was nuts for bringing BBQ sauce home as a gift for dear old mom! We're saving it for a special brisket, and praying that someone will start making it again. I sent it in as a potential new product to Vermont Country Store, who are legendary for finding lost products.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,WOODSHM6
Date: 29 Jul 07 - 08:46 PM

BIG JOHN, I WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME OF THE 30 JARS YOU HAVE

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,WOODSHM6
Date: 29 Jul 07 - 08:44 PM

IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME WITH THE HOOKUP ON SOME JARS I WOULD BE SO HAPPY.   LIVE NEAR DALLAS, CALLED MY SISTER TODAY IN WEST TEXAS TO LET HER KNOW THE NEWS NOT BEING DISCONTINUED TOO.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,Dashrs
Date: 29 Jul 07 - 12:34 PM

Who bought Woody's?

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,bonster
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 03:34 PM

Oh dear...I just spent 2 weeks scrounging ALL OVER Dallas and came up with zip..had a funny feeling it was out of production. And now I've discovered so many others in the same boat. WHY O WHY?!?! I've suddenly lost the will to live!!! Been making fajitas with it for 25 years..life in Tejas will neber be the same.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,JB
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 02:40 PM

I'm glad that I came upon this forum. I have been searching all over Dallas (with no luck!) for some Woody's. I can't believe it is being discontinued! It is essential for my smoked chicken thighs and drumsticks.
This is a tragedy, and I'll definately have to send them an e-mail.
Thanks for discussing it and allowing me to know about it!

JB

Subject: bring Woody's back?
From: GUEST,jDogg
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 02:38 AM

I just got another email from Reily foods telling me to "keep the faith"

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,Takin-a-hit
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 02:01 AM

Had heard a few friends say they were out of Woody's and noticed my store was also out. I still have several jars, but also have a garage full of empties. Saving for something. Mostly the old original jars before they started using the stick on labels. Maybe we can get Ron Paul to lend us a hand, and save Woody's. It seems like a good combo to me...

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,Keef
Date: 25 Jul 07 - 01:13 AM

I am working on Faux Woody's also and this thread has been a major help. I just found Tamarind Concentrate at the link below!
Maybe this will help.

http://www.amazon.com/Neeras-Tamarind-Concentrate/dp/B000EIY17Q/ref=sr_1_3/102-6145138-0847311?ie=UTF8&s=gourmet-food&qid=1185340079&sr=1-3

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,Bryan
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 09:55 PM

I couldnt believe the news when I went to the "web" yesterday to order more "Woody's" and heard the news. PANICK !!!   
Family recipe for Brisquit DEMANDS Woody's. Been used for 40 years in all sorts of presentations in a family that spreads from Texas, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, and........Massachusetts !
Once I informed my Mother about the situation, I began to get e-mails from the whole family concerning the 15 jars I was able to buy YESTERDAY afternoon !!
I am more than interested in preserving this recipe. If it can be replicated and reproduced....WONDERFULL !! Better yet, if Reily Foods or other concerned parties are willing to "sell" the recipe....I'm in.
I am going to try and buy up as many jars as I can in the meantime.
You guys that are working to replicate the "formula", if you don't have an original sample to work off of...let me know.
On a funnier note...my wife doesn't understand but claims that, because I have 20 Jars of Woody's...our kids now have an inheritance !!!
COOP Idea is great
Bryan

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 08:08 PM

Still betting it's tamarind paste. Lemon just will substitute, just barely in Worch Sauce.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,Peggy in Oregon
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 08:04 PM

Hi Claire

I thought it was just me. You are so right about the slight bitter taste at first. Especially if its not cooked. I've been working with
my sister buying as many jars as we can find. I'm also going to try to
make it myself. I'll ask her what she thinks the bitter taste is.
Hmmm...... hot sauce without the heat? That can be bitter, and still tasty.
I've tried their sweet and sour and was not impressed.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,BBQ chef
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 09:37 PM

Big John, Do you have any more? I am interested in making an offer.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,shopper in Dallas
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 07:57 PM

Any jars still available?

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: ClaireBear
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 07:07 PM

Bryan -- congratulations! Would that I could find such a stash; I've looked everywhere (well, actually, only in northern California and southern Oregon). But on the other hand, even with 15 jars, gotta run out someday, so even were I to get lucky, I'd keep working on the recipe as a "teach a man to fish" exercise.

About the high fructose corn syrup: True, it is listed in the ingredients now, but it wasn't until a few years ago, so I opted not to use the HFCS as it's not so great for our health.

Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,Bryan
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 05:52 PM

Just drove 20 miles and found 15 JARS !!!! Bought the store out.
Recipe calls for High Fructose Corn Syrup

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 03:59 PM

Just be sure and post the final recipe!!! (then, tell me how to use it...since it's called 'cook in sauce' I assume you do? It's not for dipping?)

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: ClaireBear
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 10:56 AM

Sorcha -- Yes, I did put the cumin in it and no, this isn't the final recipe. Mmario asked me to post my first try -- what he called the "almost Woody's." Sorry, I thought I made that clear, but I was a bit fuzzybrained yesterday from an all-night HP read-aloud on Friday.

Stubbs hickory seasoning (available here) is a liquid, like the Wright's Liquid Smoke product, but unlike Wright's it actually tastes good on its own. It has many more ingredients than Wright's, soy prominent among them. I used it, frankly, because I had it. But I would again -- its taste is quite compatible with the sauce I'm trying to recreate.

The worcestershire sauce I used (again, because I had it) is Angostura, which is really different from, say, Lea & Perrins. It is very gingery. I am not sure I would use it -- or any other worcestershire sauce -- again in a Woody's re-creation, once I have tamarind available.

Cheers,
Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Jul 07 - 09:37 PM

Guest, Gilbert...you can't BUY it anymore. Didn't you read the thread?

And, Claire, so you DID put cumin in? Is this the final recipe? And what is Stubbs Hickory Seasoning? A salt? Er....what? I also wonder...Worch sauce has curry powder in it....could Woodys?

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jul 07 - 09:00 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: ClaireBear
Date: 22 Jul 07 - 10:27 AM

Finally at home with a few minutes to spare to get down my "first attempt" recipe. Mind you, the cumin is gonna make it not taste like Woody's! But it's what I used, and the sauce is good, so it's what I'm putting down here. I'm still working on the tamarind issue for the second effort.

In the meantime, here's the recipe for the first.

To get the appropriate amounts for the basics, like Mr. Graber I closely followed the order in which the ingredients appear on the Woody's label. (Exception: I've reversed the positions of vinegar and oil. Mine must have less oil than the original -- or possibly I've used more vinegar than Woody's has, but if so, I bet that the vinegar the company used has way higher acidity than what I can get at the store.)

Then, for the flavorings, I concentrated on flavors that were popular mid 20th c., when I first started enjoying Woody's. The only exception is the powdered chipotle...but I figured its clean, smoky heat would be ideal and, besides, I didn't have any cayenne handy!


Claire's Woody's Knockoff #1: Woody's a la Wild Wild West

(note: ounce measurements are by volume, not weight)

18 oz. (2-1/4 c.) water
18 oz. (2-1/4 c.) tomato paste
10 oz. (1-1/4 c.) canola oil
9 oz. (1-1/8 c.) distilled vinegar
9 oz. (1-1/8 c.) cider vinegar
4 oz. (1/2 c.) Stubb's hickory seasoning
3.5 oz. (7/16 c.) Wright's Liquid Smoke, hickory flavor
3 oz. (3/8 c.) cumin
2 oz. (1/4 c.) paprika
2 oz. (1/4 c.) black pepper
2 oz. (1/4 c.) sugar, caramelized to medium-dark brown
1-1/2 oz. (3/16 c.) salt
1 oz. (1/8 c.) instant coffee (I used Medaglia d'Oro)
4 tsp. worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. powdered chipotle pepper
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. allspice
2 bay leaves

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan. Heat slowly, stirring often to remelt the sugar. Simmer for 15 minutes or so.

Makes about a half gallon, so have a big barbeque!

Cheers,
Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jul 07 - 12:17 PM

Gilbert Pattillo [e-mail]    Where can I find woodys cookin sauce in the gainesville,tx area

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: ClaireBear
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 12:10 PM

I doubt it in this case, because Woody's was like nothing else on the market.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,Makes me sad
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 11:59 AM

Many times a company buys out another and then closes it down because they were just buying out their competition.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: LibraryLady
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 11:09 PM

I'm so sad that I can't find any Woody's here in Northern California. I have used it for years and found this site after my supply ran out and I haunted stores all over the place looking for it.
I'll write to the company asking them to start making it or sell it to someone who will. I hope that the numbers help them decide to relaunch the sauce.
Thanks to all of you who have done the previous legwork locating the buyer and those who are trying to recreate the taste.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 08:46 PM

If you use Velveeta do NOT add salt!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,Debbie in CA
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 08:42 PM

The Velveeta sounds like a good idea. I'll try that next time. Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 08:29 PM

Mind, I haven't tasted this stuff, so I'm just guessing.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 08:27 PM

Probably not, it has a sort of after taste. OK, next effort:

Bake potatoes, or par boil in as little liquid as possible then grill til WELL done. Mash well, NO chunks. Add some light cream, table cream or half and half....put thru a blender, adding more liquid as needed for the blender. An Option here would be to boil in chicken broth, and add onions nicely browned in real butter to the blender.

Add a GOOD quality Cheddar, shredded or grated, probably about 2 cups for 4 potatoes, AND some finely cubed Velveeta cheese. Re warm just enough to melt cheese.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,Debbie in CA
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 08:21 PM

It was yellow rather than white so there must have been cheddar cheese in it. No broccoli. It was soooo creamy. Bacon and onions were added before being served. I tried using the Bear Creek Cheddar Potato soup mix and adding grated cheddar but it still wasn't cheesy enough. I was wondering if adding some of Campbell's Cheddar soup would work better.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 08:05 PM

Hell, Baked Potato Soup shouldn't be difficult. Was there cheese or broccoli in it? Salsa? Bacon? Onion? Onion fried in butter?

Bake potatoes, chunk half of them, coarsely mash the rest. Add some milk or cream, white pepper, and additives above of choice.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: GUEST,Debbie in CA
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 08:01 PM

I'm so glad I found this thread. I'm almost out of my precious Woody's and have been frantically searching any and all grocery stores in Northern CA. I grew up on this stuff in the 60's and have used nothing but Woody's on burgers, steaks and chicken. I can't live without it. I'll be sending my email for sure. I have contacted other companies regarding discontinued products and the answer is always the same. They are sorry to tell me a decision was made to discontinue the product but why can't they tell me the reasons behind the decision? Maybe if the response is big enough, we can change their minds. It worked with CBS's Jericho.

Now if I could get Chili's restaurant to bring back their Baked Potato soup.....

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 04:17 PM

Well, I didn't actually 'take on' Worch. sauce...I had a recipe. Most of what I try to re create are sauces and main dishes that I've eaten in restaurants. I'm seriously interested in this Woody's Stuff. I like sweet BBQ sauce, like Cookies and KC style, but I like the other stuff too.

Subject: RE: BS: Help! info on Woody's Cook-In Sauce
From: ClaireBear
Date: 18 Jul 07 - 03:19 PM

MMario, not ignoring you, we just cross-posted. I'll bring my notes to work tomorrow and transpose them into this thread.