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Spicy Thai Dip

By Darlene Schmidt, About.com

This flavorful dip from Northern Thailand is excellent for a snack or appetizer when served with a variety of fresh vegetables.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 02 minutes

Ingredients:

  • Serves 4
  • 1/2 cup tamarind water (made with 1 tsp. tamarind paste + water)
  • 4 tsp. sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 shallot, sliced
  • 2 Tbsp. fish sauce
  • juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1/2 tsp. dried chilli flakes (more or less depending on your desired spice level)
  • 1 dried or frozen kaffir lime leaf
  • 1/2 stalk lemongrass, finely sliced (remove tough outer leaves)
  • 1 rounded tsp. arrowroot powder mixed with a little water (or substitute corn starch)
  • handful of fresh corriander, chopped roughly

Preparation:

  1. Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender.
  2. Process well, then taste for salt, spice, and sweetness, adjusting according to your taste. (Add more fish sauce if not salty enough; if too salty, add more tamarind or lime juice.)
  3. Place in a sauce pan and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat and add arrowroot powder mixed with water, stirring until the dip thickens. Stir in most of the corriander, leaving a little to sprinkle on top.
  5. Place in a bowl on a serving platter, and surround with a variety of fresh vegetables for dipping.
  6. Serve dip warm or at room temperature.
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