Being born and raised in Indonesia, I am what you would call a peanut sauce connoisseur. Indonesians love their peanut sauce and they put it on everything. I've tried multiple brands of bottled peanut sauce sold in stores here and have yet to find anything that even remotely comes close to the deliciousness of peanut sauces found at home. Since then, I've been making my own peanut sauce. It's easier, cheaper, and much yummier than the bottled stuff!
I'll be giving you two recipes. The first one (shown on picture #1, we will call it peanut sauce) is a thicker peanut sauce that needs to be cooked down, normally used for chicken satay. I think it works just as well for any grilled poultry. The second one (shown on picture #2, we will call it peanut dressing) is a more versatile version that I use as a salad dressing. It doesn't require any cooking and a bit thinner but just as good! I think what sets my homemade sauces apart is the sweetness from the sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) that cuts into the savoriness and spiciness of the sauce. If you don't have sweet soy sauce on hand, substitute for equal amount of brown sugar. It's not quite the same but the principle is the same. You can also make a non-spicy version by omitting the chilies or chili sauce.
Peanut Sauce Ingredients
1 tbsp oil (canola, vegetable, coconut, or peanut oil)
1 tsp minced garlic
1 shallot, minced
1/2 large yellow onion, diced finely
3 Thai chilies, diced finely (optional)
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1 cup full fat coconut milk
4 tbsp sweet soy sauce (if unavailable, substitute for 4 tbsp brown sugar)
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup crushed roasted peanuts
1 tbsp lime juice
Peanut Sauce Directions
Heat oil in a saucepan over medium high heat, add onions and shallots. Cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic, cook for 30 seconds making sure not to burn.
Turn heat down to medium low. Add peanut butter, sweet soy sauce, soy sauce, and salt. Whisk until smooth. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking periodically.
Turn off the heat. Using a handheld blender, puree the sauce carefully until smooth. Add in crushed peanuts and lime juice.
Turn heat back on to low and simmer for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Let cool for 5 minutes so the mixture will thicken. Serve over grilled poultry.
Peanut Dressing Ingredients
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tbsp sesame oil
4 tbsp soy sauce
4 tsp brown sugar
3 tbsp sriracha (optional)
3 tbsp sweet soy sauce (if unavailable, substitute for additional 3 tbsp brown sugar)
1 lime, juiced
3/4 cup full fat coconut milk
1/2 tsp salt
Peanut Dressing Directions
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk until all ingredients are incorporated and dressing is a smooth consistency.
Store dressing in an airtight container or jar.
Recipe adapted from: Recipe Tin Eats
Comments