Homemade Sweet and Sour Chilli Sauce

 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (120ml) red bell pepper, roughly chopped

1/2 cup (120ml) red onion, roughly chopped

2 red chilies, seeded and roughly chopped (adjust for spice level)

1/2 cup (120ml) pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)

1/4 cup (60ml) white vinegar

1/4 cup (60ml) brown sugar (or honey)

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons water

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon grated ginger

Instructions:

1. Prep the Ingredients:
• Roughly chop the red bell pepper, red onion, and red chilies.
• If using fresh pineapple, cut it into chunks. Canned pineapple chunks work well too, but drain any excess juice.
• Mince the garlic and grate the ginger.
2. Simmering the Base:
• In a saucepan, combine the chopped vegetables, pineapple chunks, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the vegetables soften and the flavours meld.
3. Thicken the Sauce:
• In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
• Add the slurry to the simmering sauce and stir constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. This should take about 1-2 minutes.
4. Blending (Optional):
• For a smoother consistency, you can use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until desired smoothness is reached. You can leave some chunks for a bit of texture, or blend it completely smooth.
5. Cooling and Storing:
• Once thickened, remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool completely.
• Store the homemade sweet and sour chilli sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Tips:

• Adjust the red chilies according to your desired spice level. You can start with less and add more to taste.
• For a sweeter sauce, use more brown sugar or honey.
• If the sauce becomes too thick after cooling, you can thin it out with a little water or additional vinegar.
• This homemade sweet and sour chilli sauce is a versatile condiment. Use it for dipping spring rolls, dumplings, wontons, or even chicken nuggets. You can also drizzle it over stir-fries, noodle bowls, or grilled meats for a burst of flavour.

Nutritional Information:

This homemade sauce is generally lower in sugar and sodium compared to store-bought options. The vegetables add some vitamins and fibre, while the red chilies provide a touch of vitamin C and capsaicin (which has potential health benefits). However, the amount of sugar and calories will depend on the amount of brown sugar used.

Enjoy the sweet and tangy goodness of this homemade chilli sauce!