The Definitive Guide to Crafting the Perfect XO Sauce

XO Sauce is a beloved staple in Chinese cuisine, and today we will be delving into the art of crafting this delectable condiment. Get ready to elevate your culinary creations with this iconic sauce!

0
11

Preparation
20 minutes
Cooking
30 minutes
Serves
2 – 3 people

If you’ve ever tasted XO sauce, you know how delicious and unique this special sauce is. In today’s article, we will guide you on how to make authentic and tasty XO sauce, just like the Chinese do!

1 Ingredients for XO Sauce

Ingredients for XO Sauce

2 How to Make XO Sauce

Step 1 Prepare the Ingredients

Prepare the Ingredients

Clean the dried scallop guts and shrimp to remove any dirt and sand, then soak them in water for about 3 hours. Drain and set aside. Next, steam the scallop guts and duck leg for about 20 minutes. Blend the dried shrimp into a fine powder. Finely chop the shallots, garlic, and horn peppers.

Press and shred the scallop guts

After steaming, press the scallop guts flat with a knife and shred them into small pieces. Remove the skin from the duck leg and shred the meat. Cut the smoked pork belly into small pieces.

Cut the smoked pork belly and duck leg into small pieces

Step 2 Fry the Ingredients

Fry the Ingredients

Heat a pan over the stove and add 800ml of cooking oil. When the oil is hot, add the chopped garlic, shallots, and horn peppers. Fry for 6-7 minutes. Once the ingredients start to sizzle, add the chili powder and continue frying for another minute before filtering the ingredients out with a strainer.
Reuse the oil and fry the scallop guts and dried shrimp over high heat for about 10 minutes until they are fully cooked. Again, filter out the ingredients with a strainer to separate them from the oil.
Finally, use the same oil to fry the smoked pork belly and duck leg for 2-3 minutes, and strain the oil once more.

Step 3 Mix the XO Sauce

Mixing the XO Sauce

In a pan, combine all the fried ingredients with 50g meat floss, 1 tablespoon of sweet soy sauce, ½ tablespoon of soy paste, and the oil used for frying. Cook over high heat for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens, and your XO sauce is ready!

Step 4 Final Product

Final Product

The XO sauce has an attractive dark brown color and an irresistible aroma of spices and sweet soy sauce. This versatile sauce can be used as a condiment for various dishes or enjoyed directly with plain rice.

3 Serving Suggestions

Serving Suggestions

XO sauce is a flavorful and tasty condiment. When you taste it, you’ll enjoy the perfect blend of ingredients with sweet soy sauce and soy paste. This sauce is sure to become a staple in your kitchen if you love Chinese cuisine.
We hope that with this recipe, you can now create this unique sauce at home and impress your family and friends. Enjoy!
Get your shallots from us to make this delicious XO sauce:
Frequently asked questions

To make XO sauce, you’ll need a variety of ingredients including shallots, garlic, horn peppers, dried chili peppers, dried shrimp, dried scallop guts, meat floss, duck leg, and smoked pork belly. Clean and soak the dried scallop guts and shrimp, then steam them along with the duck leg. Blend or chop the remaining ingredients, and fry them in oil in stages. Finally, mix everything together with some sweet soy sauce, soy paste, and the oil used for frying, and cook until thickened.

Preparing the ingredients for XO sauce involves a few key steps. First, clean and soak the dried seafood to remove any impurities. Steam the scallop guts and duck leg, and then shred the meat. Finely chop or blend the remaining ingredients, such as shallots, garlic, and dried shrimp, to create a flavorful base.

The cooking process for XO sauce involves frying the chopped ingredients in oil. Start by heating oil in a pan and adding the garlic, shallots, and horn peppers. Fry for several minutes until sizzling, then add chili powder. Next, fry the scallop guts and dried shrimp in the same oil for a fully cooked consistency. Finally, fry the smoked pork belly and duck leg briefly, and then mix all the fried ingredients together with meat floss, soy sauces, and the flavored oil.

The final product of XO sauce should have an attractive, dark brown color and an irresistible aroma. It is a flavorful and tasty condiment, blending sweet soy sauce and soy paste with the unique flavors of its various ingredients. This sauce is versatile and can be used to enhance many dishes or simply enjoyed with plain rice.

XO sauce is a delicious and versatile condiment that pairs well with a variety of dishes. It can be used as a flavorful addition to rice, noodles, vegetables, or meat dishes. Its unique taste and aroma make it a great way to elevate the flavor of your meals, especially if you’re a fan of Chinese cuisine.
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