Matt Xiaxiang
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Main dishesChinese chilli and soy dipping sauce
Chinese dipping sauce made with chilli oil, soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar, ideal for dumplings, noodles, or grilled meats.
Pairs with dumplings, scallion pancakes, wontons, spring rolls, grilled meats, noodles, or as a condiment with rice bowls or stir-fries.
Ingredients
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 Spring onions
- 2 tablespoons Chilli oil (with crisp)
- 1.5 tablespoons Light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon White sugar
- 1 teaspoon Sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon Water (optional)
- 0.5 teaspoon Sesame oil
Instructions
- Finely mince the garlic and chop the spring onions. Place them in a heatproof bowl.
- Heat the chilli oil in a small pan until lightly sizzling. Pour it directly over the garlic and spring onions to slightly cook and release aroma. Let sizzle for a few seconds.
- Add light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, white sugar, sesame seeds, sesame oil, and water (if using). Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Let sit for at least 10 minutes before using to allow flavours to combine. Serve at room temperature.
My notes
Cooking tips
- Finely mince the garlic or grate it on a microplane for maximum flavour infusion.
- Use hot chilli oil to lightly sizzle the garlic and spring onion—this helps "bloom" their aroma and reduces their rawness.
- Too salty? Add a splash of water, rice vinegar, or a tiny pinch of sugar.
- Too sharp or acidic? Add a little more sugar or a few drops of sesame oil.
- Too bland? Increase the light soy or add a splash more chilli oil.
Alternative ingredients
- Chinese black vinegar can be used instead of rice wine vinegar for a maltier flavour.
- Shallots can be used instead of spring onions.
- Add a touch of fresh grated ginger for an aromatic component.
- Optionally mix in a small spoon of crushed peanuts.
Storage instructions
Let it cool completely before sealing if you poured hot oil into it.
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight glass jar or container. Keeps well for up to 5–7 days.
- Freezing not recommended: The fresh garlic, spring onion, and sesame oil deteriorate in texture and flavour after thawing.
Re-heating instructions
Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes after taking from the fridge to loosen any solidified oil. If the oil has separated or the sugar settled, give it a stir or shake. Its flavour may intensify so taste before serving and adjust with a splash of vinegar or sugar if needed.
Nutrition and dietary facts
Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free
(Per serving) Calories: 67kcal (3%), Protein: 0.9g (2%), Fat: 6.2g (8%), Saturated fat: 0.8g (5%), Carbohydrates: 2.5g (1%), Sugars: 1.3g (5%), Fibre: 0.2g (1%)
Note: The nutritional information provided for this recipe is an estimate based on ingredients and cooking instructions as described - it is intended for informational purposes only.