The Best World Sauces: How Many Have You Tried?

15/21 Previous Next

© iStock / Getty Images Plus / luknaja

Sweet Chili Sauce - Thailand

Another sweet and savory favorite but this time originating all the way in sunny Thailand, Thai sweet chili sauce is a ubiquitous condiment in the Southeast Asian country, used for all sorts of delicious dipped appetizers, stir-fried dishes, as a spread on sandwiches, etc. It's also widely sold in store-bought form throughout Western societies and around the world. Its slightly sweet, slightly spicy flavor comes from a combination of red chili peppers, rice wine vinegar, garlic, fish sauce and a sweetener like honey or refined sugar. 

Ingredients:

• 4 long red chilies
• 3 bird's eye chilies
• 6 garlic cloves, peeled
• 2/3 cup (50ml) water
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1/2 cup (100g) sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 2 tsp water

Instructions:

1. In a food processor or blender, pulse the red chilies, bird's eye chilies and garlic until roughly chopped.
2. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add the 2/3 cup water, white vinegar, fish sauce, sugar and salt. Add the chopped chilies and garlic, and cook until the sugar has dissolved. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 5 min.
3. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch and water, and stir the mixture into the pan. Cook for 1 min. more.
4. Let cool and serve chilled or at room temperature.