Name: Peanut Dipping Sauce
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter; 1/4 cup hoisin sauce; 1/4 cup water; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 teaspoon Asian chili sauce (optional); 2 teaspoons peanut oil or vegetable oil; 2 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press; 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Why This Recipe Works

We set out to develop a spicy, not-too-sweet peanut sauce to accompany fresh spring rolls. We decided to eliminate the sugar and cut back on the hoisin sauce to let the peanut flavor take center stage. Next we added garlic, chili sauce, and red pepper flakes for heat and tomato paste for color.

Before You Begin

The sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three days. Serve at room temperature. This sauce pairs well with our Southeast Asian-Style Spring Rolls.

Instructions

Whisk peanut butter, hoisin sauce, water, tomato paste, and chili sauce, if using, in small bowl. Heat oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes in small saucepan over medium heat until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in peanut butter mixture; bring to simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until flavors blend, about 3 minutes. (Sauce should have ketchup-like consistency; if too thick, add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until proper consistency is reached.) Transfer to bowl; cool to room temperature.