TIP OF THE DAY: Asian Peanut Sauce

February 20, 2013 at 8:15 am · Filed under International Foods, Recipes, Sauces-Rubs-Marinades, Spreads-Dips-Salsa

For both Asian- and Western-style salads,
peanut sauce is a delicious dressing. Photo
courtesy National Almond Board.

If you enjoy a plate of Asian sesame noodles, that yummy, peanut butter-based sauce is equally versatile as a:

Dip for raw vegetables (crudités)

Grilled chicken, fish or tofu sauce or dip for
skewers

Pasta sauce

Rice and grains sauce

Salad dressing

Sandwich and wrap condiment

Steamed or grilled vegetable sauce

While peanut butter, coconut milk or cream, garlic and soy sauce are common to all recipes, there is no one version of peanut sauce. Every region has its own signature style.

For example, Indonesian peanut sauce uses lemongrass, tamarind juice and miso; Thai peanut sauce uses lime juice and cilantro.

You can make a double batch and keep it tightly sealed in the fridge, ready to add flavor to so many different dishes. It’s a quick and nutritious snack with baby carrots or hard-cooked eggs, and delicious with leftovers (one of our favorites: mix with leftover rice; add some peas, chopped green onions and diced bell pepper).

ASIAN PEANUT SAUCE RECIPE

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups peanut butter

1/2 cup coconut milk

3 tablespoons water

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari

1 tablespoon fish sauce*

1 tablespoon hot sauce†

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Optional: 1 teaspoon brown sugar

Grilled fish is delicious with peanut sauce. Photo courtesy Pollen restaurant.

*For more heat and colorful flecks, add red chili flakes to taste.

†If you don’t want to buy fish sauce just for this recipe, substitute Worcestershire sauce. If you think you’ll be making peanut sauce regularly, invest in the fish sauce.

Preparation

1. WHISK together ingredients, except cilantro, in a small bowl.

2. MIX in cilantro just before serving.

3. FOR A THINNER SAUCE OR DIP, dilute with water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.

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