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 vermicelli bowls, 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 use filtered water instead.
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 skin that isn’t 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: Finish and Serve
– Pour the lime juice into the pot of fish sauce and add the finely 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 vermicelli bowls, dilute the sauce with filtered water. For every tablespoon of chili garlic fish sauce, add 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, you should be able to detect the umami of the fish sauce, the sourness of fresh lime, the sweetness from 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 reason why garlic and chili may sink instead of floating nicely is the quality of the ingredients. If the garlic and chili are wilted, soft, or bruised, they will sink to the bottom of the sauce.
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 beautifully presented 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 prefer sweeter sauces, while those from the North favor 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 finely chopped garlic and chili to taste. You can adjust the sweetness according to your liking.
Storing Chili Garlic Fish Sauce
After preparing the sauce, let it cool down completely, then transfer it to a glass bottle. Sterilize the bottle with hot water beforehand 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 any leftover sauce back into the bottle.
With this method, you can keep the sauce for 1-2 months.
This convenient recipe from Bếp Eva is excellent for families who frequently enjoy dishes that require this type of dipping sauce. Remember to discard the sauce if it develops an odd flavor to ensure food safety.
