🌶️ Chili Sauce – Restaurant Style
Yields: ~2 cups
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10–15 minutes
Total Time: ~20 minutes
Ingredients:
1 tbsp garlic, finely chopped
1 tbsp ginger, finely chopped
1 tbsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
500 ml water
¼ cup (50 ml) sugar
1 tsp salt
⅓ cup vinegar (white or rice vinegar works well)
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cornflour (cornstarch) + ¼ cup water (slurry)
2 tbsp ketchup (for color and flavor)
Instructions:
Sauté aromatics:
In a saucepan over medium heat, add a splash of oil and sauté the chopped garlic and ginger until fragrant (about 30–60 seconds). Don't brown them.
Add heat and liquid:
Stir in the chili flakes, then immediately add the 500 ml water to prevent burning. Add sugar, salt, vinegar, and lemon juice. Stir well and bring to a boil.
Add ketchup:
Mix in the ketchup for color and depth. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes.
Thicken the sauce:
While the sauce is simmering, mix the cornflour with ¼ cup water to make a slurry. Slowly pour it into the sauce while stirring constantly. Simmer for another 3–5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to your liking.
Cool and store:
Let the chili sauce cool completely before storing in a clean jar or bottle. Keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.