Craving the fiery kick of restaurant-quality chili garlic sauce but without the hefty price tag or questionable ingredients? Look no further! This recipe delivers a vibrant, flavorful sauce that's surprisingly easy to make at home. Forget those jars of overly processed, bland concoctions – prepare to elevate your culinary game with a homemade version bursting with fresh chili heat and fragrant garlic. This chili garlic sauce is incredibly versatile, perfect for adding a spicy zing to noodles, stir-fries, dumplings, or even as a dipping sauce for your favorite snacks.
Imagine the satisfaction of creating a condiment so delicious, you'll want to drizzle it on everything. This simple recipe uses readily available ingredients and a straightforward process, making it ideal for both novice and experienced cooks. Ready to experience the delightful burn? Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions to make your very own batch of homemade chili garlic sauce.
Tools Needed
- Large Vessel
- Knife
- Blender
- Strainer
- Bottles
Ingredients
- Tomatoes: 2 kg
- Vinegar: 1 cup
- Red Chillies (round red): 3/4 cup
- Kashmiri Red Chillies: 4-5
- Brown Sugar: 1/2 cup
- White Sugar: 3/4 cup
- Bay Leaves: 2-3
- Cinnamon Stick: 1
- Cloves: 5-7
- Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder: 1 spoon (optional)
- Garlic: 1 cup
- Salt (regular): 1 1/2 teaspoon
- Chinese Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Water
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the Ingredients and Cook the Tomatoes
- Clean and roughly chop the chillies. Cut 2-3 chillies into smaller pieces for better color.
- Cut 2kg of tomatoes into quarters or eighths. Add to a pot, adding about half a glass of water. Roughly chop.
- Add the whole garam masala (bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves), salt, and Chinese salt to the tomatoes. Cover and leave to cook for 40 minutes.
- After 20-25 minutes of cooking, check the tomatoes. Cook for another 5-10 minutes until softened.
- Remove the whole garam masala from the cooked tomatoes.
- Strain the tomato mixture to remove the skins and seeds.
Step 2. Blend the Chillies and Combine Ingredients
- Add the chillies to a large vessel, add enough hot water (about 1 cup) to soak them. Leave to soak for an hour.
- Blend the soaked chillies into a paste with the soaking water.
- Add the chilli paste, brown sugar, and white sugar to the strained tomato mixture. Check and adjust the salt and chilli to your taste.
Step 3. Simmer and Preserve the Sauce
- Simmer the sauce for 15-20 minutes until thickened. Check for doneness by spooning some onto a plate – it should hold its shape.
- Once cooked, turn off the heat and stir in 1 cup of vinegar as a preservative.
Step 4. Cool and Store the Chilli Garlic Sauce
- Let the sauce cool completely, then transfer to clean bottles and store in the refrigerator for up to 1.5 months.
Read more: Chinese Wonton Soup: Thousand-Li Fragrance Recipe
Tips
- Adding Kashmiri red chillies enhances the color of the sauce. If you don't have them, you can omit them.
- Brown sugar adds a nice color to the sauce, but white sugar can be used instead.
- Don't add too much water to the tomatoes, as this will make it difficult to achieve the desired consistency.
- Straining the tomato mixture is crucial, even if you've peeled the tomatoes, to remove fibers that don't contribute to the flavor.
Nutrition
- N/A
FAQs
1. Can I adjust the spice level of the chili garlic sauce?
Absolutely! Use fewer chilies for a milder sauce, or add more for extra heat. You can also control the heat by removing the seeds and membranes from the chilies before blending.
2. How long will the homemade chili garlic sauce last?
Stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, your homemade chili garlic sauce should last for 2-3 weeks. For longer storage, consider freezing it in ice cube trays or small containers.
Making your own chili garlic sauce is incredibly rewarding, offering a customizable flavor profile far superior to store-bought options. Now that you've mastered this recipe, experiment with different chili types and add-ins to create your signature blend. Enjoy the delicious results and the satisfaction of knowing exactly what's in your spicy, flavorful condiment!