email this pageCooking Thai food at home can involve ingredients you may not have in your pantry (see our This and That article). Supermarkets are an increasingly good source for some Thai essentials, and Asian markets and online grocers can provide the rest. One ingredient you won’t easily be able to do without is fish sauce (nam pla). Look for a high-quality brand such as Squid or Tiparos, and don’t be put off by the aroma—fish sauce is a magical, transforming ingredient, and one of the secrets to great Thai cooking.
Thai Peanut Sauce
Try this creamy peanut sauce with grilled chicken or pork (a terrific way to introduce kids to Thai food), as a dip for cucumber slices, or tossed with a tangle of noodles. Add as much or as little crushed red pepper as you like.
Ingredients
4 teaspoons peanut oil
2/3 cup minced shallots
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
6 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Instructions
Ingredients
4 teaspoons peanut oil
2/3 cup minced shallots
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
6 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1. Heat oil in a heavy saucepan. Add shallots, garlic and crushed red pepper; cook over low heat until fragrant and just beginning to color, about 3 minutes.
2. Whisk in peanut butter, hoisin, brown sugar and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 1 minute. Stir in lime juice.
3. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 1 1/2 cups.
Recipe by Laraine Perri, Relish World Flavors, "My Thai—and Your Thai," September 2008.
Nutritional Information
2. Whisk in peanut butter, hoisin, brown sugar and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 1 minute. Stir in lime juice.
3. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 1 1/2 cups.
Recipe by Laraine Perri, Relish World Flavors, "My Thai—and Your Thai," September 2008.
Per (2-tablespoon) serving: 80 calories, 6g fat, 0mg chol., 2g prot., 6g carbs., 1g fiber, 130mg sodium.
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If you enjoyed reading this story, My Thai (and Your Thai), then you might enjoy these other stories.- Spa Food Texas Style
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- This and That June 2006
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