Food & Receipts

The Ultimate Chili Garlic Fish Sauce: A Golden Ratio for a Flavor Explosion

The tangy and sweet fish sauce is a perfect condiment to enhance the flavors of Vietnamese dishes. It complements the soft and delicate textures of rice cakes, steamed rice rolls, and broken rice plates, adding a unique twist to the classic grilled meat vermicelli dish.

Administrator

18 September, 2024

This is a versatile dipping sauce that can be used for various dishes, from boiled snails to Banh Xeo (Vietnamese savory pancakes), Banh Khot (mini savory pancakes), grilled pork with rice vermicelli, Banh Cuon (steamed rice rolls), and fried spring rolls. Not everyone can make a delicious chili garlic fish sauce.

Below is a way to make chili garlic fish sauce that is as good as what you’d find in a restaurant, ensuring that the chili and garlic float beautifully. With this recipe, you can even store it in the fridge for later. Let’s get started!

Ingredients

– Coconut water: 200ml

– Fish sauce: 200ml

– Sugar: 250g

– MSG: 1 teaspoon (optional)

– Fresh lime juice: 75ml (2 tablespoons)

– Chili peppers, garlic

How to Make Delicious Chili Garlic Fish Sauce

Step 1: Mix Fish Sauce and Sugar

– In a pot, add 200ml of coconut water, 200ml of fish sauce, 250g of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of MSG.

– Use a spoon to stir until the ingredients dissolve.

– Turn on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, turn off the heat and let it cool down.

Note: If you don’t have coconut water, you can substitute it with filtered water.

Step 2: Prepare Lime, Chili, and Garlic

To enhance the flavor of this dipping sauce, don’t skip the lime, garlic, and chili.

– Cut the lime into wedges and squeeze out the juice. To choose juicy limes, look for ones with thin, shiny skins that are not bumpy.

– Peel the garlic. Rinse the chili peppers and let them dry.

– Finely chop the garlic and chili peppers. Alternatively, you can use a blender to save time.

Step 3: Finalize the Sauce

– Add the lime juice to the pot of fish sauce mixture, followed by the chopped garlic and chili.

– Stir well with a spoon, and it’s ready to serve!

You can use this dipping sauce for Banh Xeo, Banh Khot, or boiled snails. For dishes that require a lighter sauce, such as grilled pork with rice vermicelli, dilute the sauce with filtered water. Use 1 tablespoon of the chili garlic fish sauce and mix it with ½ a small bowl of water.

Desired Outcome

A well-made chili garlic fish sauce should have a balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. When tasting it, you should be able to detect the umami of the fish sauce, the sourness of fresh lime, the sweetness of the sugar, and the pungent aroma of garlic and chili.

When served, the garlic and chili should float on the surface, making it visually appealing.

Some Tips for Making Chili Garlic Fish Sauce

Many people wonder why their chili garlic fish sauce doesn’t turn out tasty, especially when the garlic and chili sink. What could be the reason?

Garlic and Chili Don’t Float Nicely

One of the reasons why garlic and chili sink is the quality of the ingredients. If they are wilted, soft, or bruised, they will sink to the bottom. Additionally, the order in which you add the garlic and chili is crucial. Adding them at the beginning and stirring with chopsticks can make it harder for them to float.

The solution is simple. First, choose fresh, firm garlic and chili and chop them finely. Then, only add the garlic and chili after you’ve prepared the fish sauce mixture. This way, you’ll end up with a beautiful dipping sauce.

Ratio for Chili Garlic Fish Sauce

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to taste. People from Central and Southern Vietnam tend to favor sweeter sauces, while those from the North prefer a more balanced flavor. Therefore, the ratio of ingredients may vary.

However, a common ratio used by many is 1 part fish sauce, 1 part sugar, ½ part lime juice, 4 parts water, and a generous amount of finely chopped garlic and chili. Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your liking.

Storing Chili Garlic Fish Sauce

After preparing the sauce, let it cool down completely before transferring it to a glass bottle. Sterilize the bottle with hot water to ensure it’s free of bacteria.

Pour the sauce into the bottle, seal it, and store it in the fridge. Each time you want to use it, take out a clean spoonful of sauce. Do not pour the leftover sauce back into the bottle.

With this method, you can keep the sauce fresh for 1-2 months.

This convenient recipe from Bếp Eva is perfect for families who frequently enjoy dishes that require this type of dipping sauce. Remember to discard the sauce if it develops an odd taste or smell to ensure food safety.

Frequently asked questions

The secret to a mouthwatering chili garlic fish sauce lies in the precise combination of ingredients. For a perfect balance of flavors, aim for a ratio of 1:1:1 for chili, garlic, and fish sauce. This means using equal parts of fresh chili peppers, garlic cloves, and good-quality fish sauce. This golden ratio ensures a harmonious blend where no single ingredient overwhelms the others, resulting in a flavor explosion that will elevate any dish.

The type of chili pepper you choose plays a crucial role in the overall flavor profile. For this recipe, it is recommended to use fresh red chili peppers, preferably bird’s eye chilies or Thai chilies. These varieties offer a nice balance of heat and flavor. Bird’s eye chilies, in particular, pack a punch with their intense heat and fruity notes, making them ideal for adding a spicy kick to your sauce.

Absolutely! If you prefer a milder sauce, you can reduce the amount of chili peppers or opt for a less spicy variety such as Serrano or jalapeño peppers. Conversely, if you’re a heat seeker, feel free to increase the quantity of chili peppers or choose hotter varieties like habanero or ghost peppers. Adjusting the spice level allows you to customize the sauce to your taste preferences.

Garlic is a key ingredient that adds depth and pungency to the sauce. It complements the heat of the chili peppers and contributes a distinctive flavor that is essential in Asian cuisine. Using fresh garlic cloves and crushing or mincing them finely ensures their flavor infuses throughout the sauce. The aroma and pungency of garlic enhance the overall taste experience.

When it comes to fish sauce, quality matters. Look for a reputable brand that uses traditional fermentation methods and high-quality ingredients. Authentic fish sauce is made from just two ingredients: anchovies and sea salt. Avoid brands with added preservatives or artificial ingredients. A good fish sauce will have a deep, savory flavor that enhances the umami character of your sauce.

This homemade sauce will generally last for about a week when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. However, the longevity can vary depending on the freshness of the ingredients used, particularly the chili peppers and garlic. It’s best to use fresh ingredients and make small batches to ensure maximum flavor and quality.

The possibilities are endless! This versatile sauce can be used as a condiment, marinade, or flavor enhancer in various dishes. Drizzle it over grilled meats, seafood, or vegetables for an instant flavor boost. Use it as a base for stir-fries, noodles, or rice dishes. Add it to soups or stews for an extra layer of complexity. It’s a quick and easy way to bring authentic Asian flavors to your cooking.