SPICY SWEET CHILI SAUCE

SPICY SWEET CHILLI SAUCE
Cook time: 30 mins
Total time: 30 mins

Makes/ Serves: about 1½ cups

½ cup rice vinegar
1 cup water
7oz / 200g white sugar
4 garlic cloves, chopped finely
1 tbsp soy sauce (gluten-free soy sauce or salt if you'd like to keep it gluten-free or soy-free)
¼ - ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional - leave it out if you prefer it less spicy).
2.25oz / 63g sambal oelek
1 ½ tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
2 tbsp water

METHOD
Add the first 6 ingredients in a nonstick pan. Heat over medium-heat while stirring, to dissolve the sugar. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
Add the Sambal Oelek and mix it through.
Mix the cornflour and water into a smooth slurry and add this to the sauce as well.
While stirring frequently (to prevent the sauce from burning at the bottom), simmer the sauce for a further 5-10 minutes or till it reaches a desired thickness. Remember, the sauce thickens as it cools as well.
Pour into glass jars with air tight lids (OR heated and sterilized jars to store it for longer).
Cool to room temperature and store in the fridge.