Ginger-Soy Dipping Sauce

This recipe calls for Sriracha chili sauce. A general-purpose sauce that originated in southern Thailand, it is used sparingly to add zest to salads, noodle soups and a wide range of other cooked dishes. It is also a table condiment offered at many Southeast Asian restaurants. The bright red-orange sauce is a mixture of ground chilies, tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, salt and sugar.

Ingredients:

  • 5 Tbs. rice vinegar
  • 1⁄4 cup light soy sauce
  • 2 Tbs. dark soy sauce
  • 3 Tbs. warm water
  • 1 1⁄2 Tbs. sugar
  • 1 Tbs. Asian sesame oil
  • 1 tsp. Sriracha chili sauce
  • 2 Tbs. peeled and minced fresh ginger
  • 2 tsp. minced garlic
  • 2 tsp. red jalapeño chili or other fresh
     hot red chili, seeded and thinly sliced on the
     diagonal

Directions:

In a small, nonaluminum bowl, whisk together the vinegar, light and dark soy sauces, warm water, sugar, sesame oil and chili sauce until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the ginger, garlic and chili. Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Makes about 1 1⁄4 cups.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Collection Series, Asian, by Farina Wong Kingsley (Simon & Schuster, 2003).