Piquant Oriental Sauce

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: Boiling, Frying, Stewing, Stir Frying Cuisine: Global Courses: Sauces & Condiments

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 4 Calories: 132.6

Description

This Piquant Oriental Sauce offers a delightful balance of sweet, tangy, and aromatic flavors, perfect for elevating stir-fries, grilled meats, or vegetable dishes. The combination of fresh pineapple, ginger, and five-spice powder creates a complex flavor profile that is both comforting and exciting. With a glossy finish achieved through a cornstarch slurry, this sauce clings beautifully to food, adding moisture and depth. It is versatile enough for weeknight dinners or special occasions, providing a homemade touch that surpasses store-bought alternatives. The inclusion of dark soy sauce and malt vinegar adds umami and acidity, rounding out the sweetness of the pineapple and sugar. Simple to prepare yet impressive in taste, this sauce brings a restaurant-quality experience to your home kitchen.

Directions

Heat corn oil in a saucepan or wok over medium-high heat.
Add sliced onion, carrot, bell pepper, and chopped ginger, and stir-fry for 3 minutes until slightly softened.
Stir in the Five Spice Powder and remove the pan from heat.
Drain the pineapple slices, reserving the juice, and chop the pineapple into bite-sized pieces.
In a small bowl, mix the reserved pineapple juice, sugar, dark soy sauce, dry sherry, malt vinegar, catsup, and cornstarch until smooth.
Return the pan to medium heat and add the pineapple pieces and the liquid mixture.
Stir constantly until the sauce thickens and bubbles, about 2-3 minutes.
Serve immediately over your desired dish, garnished with fresh pineapple leaves if available.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 132.6kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 15.0g24%
Saturated Fat 1.9g10%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 0.0mg0%
Total Carbohydrate 0.0g0%
Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
Sugars 0.0g
Protein 0.0g0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

For a vegan version, ensure the chicken stock is replaced with vegetable stock and verify that the oyster sauce (if used in variations) is mushroom-based.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

You can adjust the heat level by adding a dash of chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes during the stir-fry step.

If you do not have five-spice powder, you can substitute with a mix of cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, though the flavor profile will differ slightly.

Piquant Oriental Sauce