| A popular thick sauce used for Asian foods, both as an ingredient in cooking and also as a condiment. It is made from fermented soybeans, garlic, chiles, vinegar, sugar, and various spices that provide a sweet and somewhat tangy flavor. There are different brands of this sauce that vary in consistency and flavor, some being less sweet and spicy than others.
If used for cooking, the sauce is often brushed onto meats prior to being broiled or grilled. It can be added to meats and other ingredients as they are stir-fried or used as a dipping sauce. Since it contains a higher level of sugar than many other sauces, it is best to use caution when applying heat, making sure not to burn the sauce as it cooks. Keep unused sauce refrigerated and it can then be kept for very long periods of time without losing much flavor. |
