Authentic Chinese Plum Sauce The Daring Gourmet from www.daringgourmet.com
Introduction
Plum sauce is a tangy and sweet condiment that can be used as a dipping sauce or marinade. It is a popular sauce in Chinese cuisine and is usually served with dishes such as egg rolls, dumplings, and stir-fried meats. In this article, we will be sharing an easy-to-follow recipe for making plum sauce at home.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make plum sauce: - 1 pound of fresh plums - 1/2 cup of sugar - 1/2 cup of rice vinegar - 2 tablespoons of soy sauce - 1 tablespoon of grated ginger - 1 tablespoon of minced garlic - 1/2 teaspoon of salt - 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
Notes on Ingredients
When choosing plums for this recipe, look for ones that are ripe but still firm. Overly ripe plums will be too mushy and won't hold their shape when cooked. Rice vinegar can be found in most grocery stores and is a key ingredient in many Asian dishes. If you don't have rice vinegar, you can substitute it with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make your own plum sauce: 1. Wash the plums and remove the pits. Cut the plums into small pieces. 2. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the plums, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes. 3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. 4. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the plums have broken down and the sauce has thickened. 5. Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. 6. Once cooled, transfer the sauce to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. 7. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any remaining chunks or seeds. 8. Pour the sauce into a sterilized jar or container and store it in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Tips for Making Perfect Plum Sauce
- Be sure to stir the sauce occasionally while it's simmering to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. - If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer for a few extra minutes until it reaches your desired consistency. - If you don't have a blender or food processor, you can use an immersion blender or a potato masher to puree the sauce. - To sterilize your jar or container, wash it in hot, soapy water and rinse it well. Then, place it in a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes. Remove the jar using tongs and let it air dry.
Nutrition
Here is the nutritional information for one serving (2 tablespoons) of plum sauce: - Calories: 47 - Fat: 0g - Carbohydrates: 12g - Fiber: 0g - Protein: 0g - Sodium: 190mg - Sugar: 11g
Conclusion
Making your own plum sauce at home is easy and allows you to control the ingredients and sweetness level. This delicious sauce is perfect for dipping, marinading, or drizzling over your favorite dishes. Give this recipe a try and enjoy the amazing flavor of homemade plum sauce!
