Name: Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 3 1/4 hr
Yield: Makes about 1 cup
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon sugar; 1/4 cup warm water; 1/4 cup Asian fish sauce, preferably nuoc mam; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (not seasoned); 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 fresh Thai chile (2 to 3 inches; preferably red) including seeds, thinly sliced crosswise

Pleasantly pungent with a touch of heat, this classic spring roll sauce also works well with the chicken satés.

Cooks' note:

Sauce can be chilled up to 3 days.

Recipe information

Total Time
3 1/4 hr
Yield
Makes about 1 cup

Ingredients

1 tablespoon sugar

1/4 cup warm water

1/4 cup Asian fish sauce, preferably nuoc mam

2 tablespoons rice vinegar (not seasoned)

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 garlic clove, minced

1 fresh Thai chile (2 to 3 inches; preferably red) including seeds, thinly sliced crosswise

Preparation

Stir together sugar and water in a bowl until sugar is dissolved. Stir in remaining ingredients and chill, covered, at least 2 hours to allow flavors to develop. Bring to room temperature before serving (this will take about 1 hour).