Thai sweet chili sauce is known as nam chim kai in Thailand. It is sold in bottles and available in Asian food markets, but instead of buying sweet chili sauce, try making this easy recipe. It only takes a few minutes to put together, and you can find everything you need in your pantry or at your local supermarket. There are no added preservatives or fatty ingredients in this homemade version, so it is also healthier. And since you control the ingredients, you also control the amount of sweetness and heat.

Prep Time

    •    Prep time: 2 minutes
    •    Cook time: 15 minutes
    •    Yield: Serves 1/2 cup

Ingredients

    •    1/2 cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
    •    1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons. white sugar
    •    1/4 cup water
    •    3 tablespoons fish sauce
    •    2 tablespoons sherry (or cooking sherry)
    •    3 cloves garlic, minced
    •    1/2 to 1 tablespoon dried crushed chili (1 tablespoon makes spicy-hot sauce)
    •    1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 3 to 4 tablespoons cool water

Method

1. Place all ingredients - except the cornstarch-water mixture - in a saucepan or pot. Bring to a rolling boil.
2. Reduce heat to medium and let boil for 10 minutes, or until reduced by half. (Note that the vinegar will be quite pungent as it burns off--rice vinegar is less strong than regular white vinegar.)
3. Reduce heat to low and add the cornstarch-water mixture. Stir to incorporate and continue stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens about 2 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and taste-test. You should taste sweet first, followed by sour, then spicy and salty notes. If the sauce isn't sweet enough, add a little more sugar. If it's not spicy enough, add more chili.
5. Pour sauce into a small bowl or jar and serve as a condiment, dip, or marinade.

This great family recipe is thanks to The Spruce at https://www.thespruce.com/thai-sweet-chili-sauce-3217301