Essential Asian Sauces for Preventing Food Fatigue

Having the right condiment can make all the difference in the variety available in our TEOTWAWKI menu.  It would be a drag to have French fries but no ketchup, or sandwiches without any mayo.  Pepper jelly is a perfect dipping sauce for egg rolls and wontons (which we are planning to have very occasionally post-collapse) and is so good in a seven-layer dip.  And the best thing is we can make it with garden produce and can it for later use.  However, it might be a little spicy for using as a sweet and sour sauce for Asian dishes.  So here's another option.

Sweet and Sour Sauce
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons cold water
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Combine the first four ingredients in a small saucepan.  Combine the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and stir until smooth.  Add the cornstarch mixture into the saucepan, and stir well to combine.  Bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.



At its most basic level, teriyaki sauce contains honey, soy sauce, cornstarch, and water.  The following recipe adds in brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame seeds to make it a little more exciting.

Teriyaki Sauce
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/4 cups water, divided
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds


In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, honey, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and 3/4 cup water.  In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and 1/2 cup water and stir until smooth.  Stir the cornstarch mixture into the other ingredients and bring to a boil.  Continue cooking until sauce reaches desired thickness.  Remove from heat and stir in sesame seeds.

This pad thai sauce really dresses up some plain noodles.  Add in some sauteed garden vegetables and you'll be all set for some good eats.

Pad Thai Sauce
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon red chili paste
1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons ginger

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.

Links to related posts:
Pepper Jelly
Ketchup
Mayonnaise
Food Fatigue