As of next week I shall be unable to post any recipes for around ten days, so despite my rather crowded schedule I have decided to make the most of my time in the run up to my latest hiatus. Indeed, you must wish me luck in my concert this coming Saturday night – it is the 40th anniversary of Aberystwyth Philomusica and we are giving a concert with the world-renowned harpist Catrin Finch. You know, this is the first time in a while that I have indulged in bringing a little insight into my life onto this blog. It feels rather nice to share a little tit-bit now and again. Actually, on the subject of tit-bits, does anyone know why Americans call them tid-bits? It seems rather strange. Answers on a postcard chaps.
Does anyone else feel that sweet chilli sauce has become so popular it has all but entered the realm occupied by ketchup, mayonnaise and brown sauce? To be honest, up to this point I’d never been the biggest fan of sweet chilli sauce, but after making it the reason soon became clear. Homemade sweet chilli sauce simply has masses more flavour that the relatively insipid, oddly coloured tat one can purchase in one’s local supermarket. It’s also rather ironic that making one’s own sweet chilli sauce takes around the same length of time as it takes to visit one’s local shop – it really is that quick. Indeed, from beginning to end, this recipe probably took between ten and fifteen minutes – no time at all. It really is testament to how lazy the general populous has become when it comes to culinary preparation, i.e. cooking. Please buck the trend, as I have, and make your own sweet chilli sauce. I shall make it worth your while tomorrow, with yet another gastronomic wonder.
Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce
Makes 1 small bottle, the recipe is easily scalable
Ingredients:
• 250ml water
• 2 red chillies, seeds are optional depending on individual taste
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp corn flour (starch)
• Salt
Method:
1. First, you’ll want to blend the water, chillies, garlic and sugar together in a food processor. Transfer the resultant mixture, which should be a little chunky, into a saucepan and cook gently for 3-4 minutes. Once the mixture has thickened a little season it and add the corn flour which should be mixed with a tiny little water to make a roux. Cook for a further 3-4 minutes before allowing to cool. Once cool transfer the sauce to a jar or bottle and refrigerate. If the sauce turns to a jelly simply add a little more water without heating.
Cost: Sweet chilli sauce, like most sauces, is rather over-priced in general. A bottle of this sauce, as made by the market leader, costs £1.29. One might think that price fairly reasonable, however this sauce when made at home should set one back a mere 15-20p for roughly the same amount. Everything is relative, my friends.
Excellent, and has a great colour to it. Can I ask did you use Thai Culinary Chillies?
Thanks! No, I didn’t know they existed – it’s hard to get really specific ingredients in West Wales…
They are a medium – hot chilli that are great to cook with, very similar to Cayenne.
Ahha, good to know! Thanks!
Frugal, I love that you shared a little about your life. Can’t wait to hear more…your music sounds fascinating. Love the chili sauce! Who knew it was so easy. Definitely on my to do list. Best of luck to you!
Hehe, more shall come in fits and starts. Thanks, Karista.
mmm…i love to put this on salmon and broil it in the oven really quickly. if i’d known how easy it was to make at home, i’d have been doing that all along! i think we say tid-bits because the other word has a whole other meaning over here.
That’s a great idea, it must do justice to the salmon! The word ‘tit’ also means what you’re referring to here, but it doesn’t really matter.
yeah, my little boy loves salmon this way. i’ll make yours and he’ll be even happier, i’m sure!
hahaha, i see. i guess we are just weird. that has to be it.
So good that he eats that sort of thing! Nothing wrong with weird…
Hope that your concert went wonderfully! Sounds incredible… This sauce looks like a great thing to have on hand; and sounds so simple too!
Thanks, Ragamuffin! It went very well. You should try it
Really how many comments! I almost gave up scrolling LOL. I did not even know tid bits was American I always thought it soundly quite British – learn something new every post on here!
Haha – very sorry! It’s entirely American, I’m afraid!
Yes they do adore you!
oh gosh, I fell in love this this stuff while in New Zealand. Definitely making it!
Awesome – let me know how it goes.
I think blogging etiquette demands that I come back and tell you that I made this sauce and it was wonderful (instead of just responding on another comment
Thank you for this great, easy and money saving recipe!
Awesome – so glad you liked it!
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Answer to my prayers! I live in Ibiza where sweet chilli sauce is hard to come by and when you do find it the price is inflated. I had no corn flour so used plain and added a dash of apple viniger. This will never feature on my shopping list again now you’ve inspired me to make it myself, thank you. Mandy x
Very nice! I fell for this some years ago.I wish I’d had this link when I posted my hot wing recipes!