SCHEZWAN SAUCE

Ingredients for schezwan sauce

• 25 to 28 red chilies - 1 cup (less spicy variety)
• 1 cup hot water to soak chilies
• ¼ cup oil (preferably sesame oil)
• 2 tbsps garlic chopped finely
• 1 tbsp ginger chopped finely
• 8 to 10 sichuan peppers crushed (optional)
• 3 tbsps onions chopped very finely - 1 small
• ½ cup water for sauce
• 1 to 1 ½ tbsp sugar
• ¾ to 1 tsp salt (I used 1 tsp sea salt)
• ¾ tbsp soya sauce (I used organic soya sauce)
• ¾ tbsp vinegar (rice or apple cider)
• ¼ tsp pepper powder
• ¼ cup chopped celery (optional)

How to make the recipe

Preparation for schezwan sauce

1. To reduce the heat from the red chilies, you can deseed them and use.
2. Add them to a bowl and pour hot water.
3. Let them soak for 30 mins.
4. Meanwhile chop onions, ginger and garlic.
5. After 30 mins, add the red chilies to a blender jar. Make a fine paste. If needed you can add 1 to 2 tbsp water. Set this aside.

How to make schezwan sauce

1. Heat oil in a pan.
2. Saute garlic, ginger and sichuan pepper for 2 mins. If using celery, add it now.
3. Add onions and fry until they turn transparent. Do not brown the ginger garlic as they may lend a bitter taste.
4. Stir in the chili paste and saute in the oil just for 2 mins.
5. Pour half cup water and mix well.
6. Add sugar, salt and pepper powder.
7. Mix well. Cover and cook on a medium heat till the sauce turns thick.
8. Open the lid and cook further stirring often until oil begins to separate.
9. You can see the mixture begins to leave the sides of the pan.
10. Add soya sauce and vinegar.
11. Mix well and cook just for 1 to 2 mins. Taste it and add more salt or vinegar if needed.
12. Schezwan sauce must taste hot with hints of sour and sweetness.
13. Cool this completely and store it in a glass jar. Refrigerate for better shelf life.

Using Schezwan sauce

1. The prepared sauce can be enjoyed as a side dip with snacks. It can be used to make noodles, fried rice or schezwan snacks.
2. To make fried rice or noodles, heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok. Fry onions and bell peppers on a high flame. Then add the rice or noodles and sauce as desired. Mix and fry on a high flame for 2 mins.