The flavor isn't the only reason Chinese garlic sauce is used in so many exquisite Asian dishes. Asian countries are no strangers to the healthy properties found in garlic. The next time you're searching for a delicious dish with antioxidants, reach for one of the many Chinese recipes that include garlic sauces, or follow the directions below and make a variation of this recipe that you can call your own.
When making this garlic sauce recipe, keep in mind that, though fresh garlic is tasty, the crushed variety offers the most health benefits.
Recipe for Garlic Sauce
Ingredients You Will Need:
4 whole garlic cloves, crushed
3 tablespoons peanut oil
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons rice wine
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
½ cup peanuts or cashews (optional)
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Sauté the garlic in the peanut oil at a relatively high heat, but do not burn. (Do not substitute sesame seed oil for the peanut oil, as it burns much too easily.) Once the garlic has been sautéed, reduce the heat to low, and add the soy sauce and rice wine. Simmer this mixture while you cut the bell pepper into very thin slices. Add the pepper to the skillet, and dump in the peanuts.
In a cup, mix the water and cornstarch together until smooth. Slowly pour the cornstarch mixture into the simmering pot, stirring constantly. Salt and pepper to taste.
This sauce is excellent over lamb, pork or chicken. Additional spices can be added to the sauce, depending on your own preferences, but take care not to overdo it. What makes this sauce so intriguing is the great garlic taste.
Tips
To add variety to Chinese garlic sauce, try adding both light and dark soy sauce, as well as a tablespoon of white granulated sugar. If you want a spicy sauce, add about a teaspoon of crushed red pepper. Go slowly, however, as crushed red pepper can be hot if you're not used to it. If you want a smoother sauce, omit the pepper and peanuts.
If you add rice wine or sherry to the sauce, the alcohol content will burn off as the sauce heats, but the flavor and additional liquid will remain. Do not add more than two or three tablespoons of any alcoholic beverage. More than that, and the flavor of the sauce will be compromised.
Finally, though sesame seed oil readily burns, it has wonderful flavor. As long as the sauce won't be too greasy if you add more oil, add a tablespoon or two of sesame seed oil along with the other ingredients as a flavor enhancer.
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