Peanut Sauce (Nuoc Chan Dau Phung)

Simple Art of Vietnamese Cooking
Servings: 4

This authentic peanut sauce is an interesting combination of cooked onion and garlic simmered with tomato paste, peanut butter, and chilies.

Ingredients

1    tablespoon peanut oil
1    tablespoon small red onion, finely chopped
2    cloves garlic, minced
1    teaspoon tomato paste
1    teaspoon hoisin sauce
2½ tablespoons peanut butter, creamy style
½   cup water
2    teaspoons sugar
½   teaspoon Sate-Chili Oil, or dried chili flakes

Cooking Method

In a medium saucepan over high heat, heat the oil until hot. 

1. Reduce the heat to low and add the onion and garlic. 

2. Cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes.  

3. Increase the heat to medium and stir in the remaining ingredients.

4. Simmer, stirring, for about 3 minutes. 

Serve warm or at room temperature. 

The sauce will keep in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.