Assorted Chinese Sauces & Oils (vegan)

Universal Sauce (great over sumplings or with rice)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1T rice wine
1T rice wine vinegar
2t sugar
1T minced scallion
1.5T minced garlic
2T sesame oil
2t chili oil or chili paste


All Purpose Stir Fry Sauce
Place a saucepan over high heat until hot. Add 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Add 4 teaspoons minced garlic and 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 5 seconds. Add 2/3 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup Shao Hsing wine or dry sherry, and 2 tablespoons sesame oil and cook for 1 minute. Add 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water and cook, stirring, until sauce boils and thickens. Makes about 1 1/3 cups.

Chilli Oil
Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a small saucepan over high heat until oil reaches about 375F. Remove from heat and add 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper and 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Let cool. Transfer oil to an airtight jar. Use as a dip or use a few drops to add zest to any dish. Makes about 1 cup.

Hot Chilli Sauce
30 dried hot chili peppers, each about 1 half inches long
half Cup warm water
6 tablespoons corn oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
225g red bell peppers, seeded and chopped coarse
6 tablespoons soy sauce

1. Soak the peppers in warm water until very soft. Drain and chop fine.
2. In a heavy saucepan over low heat, heat the oil. Add the peppers and garlic; cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute until the garlic browns slightly. Take care not to burn the garlic.
3. Add the bell peppers and soy sauce. Stir several times and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 30 minutes, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the peppers are very soft.
4. Remove from the heat and allow the sauce to cool completely. Pour into a clean jar, cover with plastic wrap and screw on the lid. Turn the jar upside down and store in the refrigerator. The oil will rise to the surface and inhibit mold from forming. Discard the sauce at the first sign of mold.