The traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce. The red pepper gives colour but can be omitted.

Servings: Serves 6

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 sweet red pepper, stem removed, chopped
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp Asian chili sauce or to taste
• 3 tbsp fish sauce
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 2 tablespoons finely shredded carrots

Method

Combine water and sugar in a pot. Bring to a boil over high heat stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Boil for 2 minutes or until slightly syrupy. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.

Place red pepper, garlic and chili sauce with 1/4 cup of sugar syrup in a food processor or blender and purée. Add fish sauce and lime juice. Taste for seasonings, adding more syrup to thin it down if needed. Place carrots in a bowl and add sauce.