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| Sweet and Sour Sauces for Different uses ~ The sauces here use cornstarch as it is more readily available. You could use tapioca starch with equal success. Basic Sweet and Sour Sauce 6 tbsp water 2 tbsp sugar 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce 1 1/2 tbsp tomato puree 2 tbsp vinegar 1 tbsp cornstarch, blended with 3 tbsp water 1. Heat the water in a small pan. Add sugar, soy sauce and tomato puree. Stir until the sugar has dissolved; then add the vinegar. 2. Stir in the cornstarch, that has been blended with 3 tablespoons water. Continue cooking and stirring until sauce has thickened. Strengthened Sweet and Sour Sauce 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 slices fresh ginger root, chopped 1 tbsp vegetable or olive oil 1 1/2 tbsp chopped green onions 2 1/2 tbsp sugar 2 1/2 tbsp vinegar 2 tbsp tomato puree 2 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp sherry, do not use cooking wine...use the real thing 1/4 cup orange juice 5 tbsp water 4 tsp cornstarch, blended with 1/4 cup water 1. Heat the oil (medium heat)in a small saucepan or wok. Stir-fry the garlic, ginger, and onions for 1 1/2 minutes. 2. Pour in the sugar, vinegar, tomato puree, soy sauce, sherry, orange juice, and water. Stir until the mixture is smooth and the sugar is dissolved, then increase the heat slightly, and stir in the cornstarch mixture. 3. Stir until thickened. Cantonese Sweet and Sour Sauce Repeat the recipe for Strengthened Sweet and Sour Sauce, adding either 2 tablespoons tangerine juice or 2 tablespoons lychee juice to the sugar/vinegar mixture. Sweet and Sour Sauce for Fish Repeat the recipe for Strengthened Sweet and Sour Sauce, doubling the quanities of the ginger, onions, and sherry. Add some chopped pickles. Increase the heating time by 30 seconds. Sweet and Sour Sauce for Spare Ribs Repeat the recipe for Strengthened Sweet and Sour Sauce, adding 1/4 cup sliced green peppers, some onion, and 1 teaspoon of soaked and drained black beans. Add an extra 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce and 1/2 tablespoon hoisin sauce to the sauce mixture; increase the heating time by 30 seconds. Sweet and Sour Sauce for Chicken Repeat the recipe for Strengthened Sweet and Sour Sauce, add 2 tablespoons sliced bamboo shoots, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon chopped mixed pickles to the recipe. Hot Sweet and Sour Sauce Repeat the recipe for Strengthened Sweet and Sour Sauce, add 1 or 2 chopped chile peppers or 1 teaspoon dried chile pepper to the recipe. Or you could add 2 tablespoons of chile sauce to the sugar/vinegar mixture. Sweet and Sour Sauce for a Chinese Omelet Such as Oyster, Shrimp, Crab meat, or lobster omelets 1 tbsp cornstarch, blended with 2 tbsp water 1 1/2 tbsp sugar 1 tbsp soy sauce 1/4 tsp MSG 1 1/2 tbsp vinegar 1 tbsp sherry 1. Mix all ingredients in a small saucepan. Blend together over medium heat. Stir until sauce thickens. 2. Pour over omelet. Sweet and Sour Sauce for Vegetables 1 tbsp chopped pickles 1 1/2 tbsp chopped onion 1/2 tsp salt 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 1/2 tbsp sugar 1/4 cup stock 2 tsp cornstarch 1 1/2 tbsp vinegar 1 tbsp soy sauce 1/4 tsp MSG 1. Heat the oil in a wok. Stir fry the pickles, onion, and salt for 1 1/2 minutes. 2. Blend all the other ingredients together with 4 tablespoons water, then pour the mixture into the wok. Stir until all the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken. 3. To serve pour the sauce over prepared blanched or cooked vegetables. |