Chinese Barbecue Sauce (L) Cathay LA from www.cathayla.com
Introduction
Chinese barbecue sauce is a sweet and savory sauce that is perfect for marinating and grilling meats. This sauce is popular in many Chinese dishes such as roasted meats, stir-fries, and even noodles. The sauce has a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
Ingredients
To make Chinese barbecue sauce, you will need the following ingredients: - 1 cup hoisin sauce - ½ cup soy sauce - ½ cup honey - ¼ cup rice vinegar - 2 tablespoons sesame oil - 2 tablespoons minced garlic - 2 tablespoons minced ginger - 1 tablespoon Chinese five spice - 1 teaspoon black pepper - 1 teaspoon salt
Hoisin Sauce
Hoisin sauce is a thick, dark sauce that is commonly used in Chinese cuisine. It is made from soybeans, sugar, vinegar, and various spices. Hoisin sauce has a sweet and savory flavor that is similar to barbecue sauce.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is a staple in Asian cooking. It is made from fermented soybeans, wheat, and salt. Soy sauce has a salty flavor and is commonly used as a seasoning or marinade.
Honey
Honey is a natural sweetener that is used to balance out the saltiness of the soy sauce and the savory flavor of the hoisin sauce.
Rice Vinegar
Rice vinegar is a mild vinegar that is made from fermented rice. It has a slightly sweet and sour flavor that is perfect for balancing out the sweetness of the honey.
Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is a flavorful oil that is made from toasted sesame seeds. It has a nutty flavor that adds depth to the barbecue sauce.
Minced Garlic and Ginger
Garlic and ginger are commonly used in Chinese cooking. They add a pungent and spicy flavor to the barbecue sauce.
Chinese Five Spice
Chinese five spice is a blend of five spices that is commonly used in Chinese cuisine. The blend typically includes cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns. The spice adds a unique flavor to the barbecue sauce.
Black Pepper and Salt
Black pepper and salt are used to season the barbecue sauce.
Instructions
To make Chinese barbecue sauce, follow these instructions: 1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, Chinese five spice, black pepper, and salt until well combined. 2. Transfer the barbecue sauce to a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. 3. Reduce the heat to low and let the barbecue sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 4. Remove the barbecue sauce from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. 5. Once the barbecue sauce has cooled, it is ready to use. You can use it as a marinade for meats or as a sauce for stir-fries or noodles.
Nutrition
Chinese barbecue sauce is relatively high in sodium due to the soy sauce. However, it is also low in calories, fat, and cholesterol. Here is the nutritional information for one serving (1 tablespoon) of Chinese barbecue sauce: - Calories: 30 - Fat: 0g - Cholesterol: 0mg - Sodium: 350mg - Carbohydrates: 7g - Fiber: 0g - Sugar: 6g - Protein: 1g
Conclusion
Chinese barbecue sauce is a versatile sauce that can be used in many different dishes. It has a unique flavor that is both sweet and savory, and it is easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. Use it as a marinade for meats or a sauce for stir-fries, and enjoy the delicious flavors of Chinese cuisine.
