Skip to main content

Red-Curry Peanut Dipping Sauce

3.9

(12)

Packed with peanuts and spiked with Thai curry paste, this chunky sauce nearly explodes with flavor and spice. Placed near the chicken satés or the crab-and-pork spring rolls, a bowl of it will quickly disappear.

Cooks' note:

Sauce can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    50 min

  • Yield

    Makes about 2/3 cup

Ingredients

1/4 cup roasted salted peanuts
1 tablespoon packed palm or dark brown sugar
2 to 3 teaspoons Thai red curry paste
8 to 10 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped shallot (about 1 large)
2 fresh Thai or serrano chiles (2 to 3 inches; preferably red) including seeds, thinly sliced crosswise

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Finely grind 3 tablespoons peanuts in a food processor along with sugar. Finely chop remaining tablespoon peanuts by hand.

    Step 2

    Stir together curry paste (to taste) and 6 tablespoons water until paste is dissolved.

    Step 3

    Heat oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté garlic, shallot, and chiles, stirring, until golden, about 4 minutes. Add ground peanut mixture and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in curry mixture and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in chopped peanuts.

    Step 4

    Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes, then thin with water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to desired consistency.

Read More
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like spicy carrot rigatoni and weeknight-fancy ravioli with peas.
Like lemony baked salmon and strawberry shortcake roll.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Our go-to banana bread recipe is moist, nutty, and incredibly easy to make.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Biscuits and gravy, but make it spring.
Tender, moist chocolate cupcakes stained with Earl Grey tea and topped with a brilliant magenta frosting made from fresh blackberries.