Easy Peanut Sauce

I’m a fan of sauces, and think a good sauce can make a meal. But when it comes down to it, a busy night when you’re tired and don’t want to clean the kitchen does not call for a sauce.

Unless it’s as easy as this one. Seriously. No blender, no continuous chopping and dicing, and no dirtying up a bunch of dishes that you’ll have to wash later. And, it’s delicious.

Only a few ingredients are necessary for this, and you probably have a few of them in your pantry. Let’s start with the main ingredient: Peanut butter. I’m a fan of natural peanut butters, but  for this, a standard creamy one is best if you want a smooth sauce. This is not the place for your homemade nut butter. So grab a jar of Jif.

Toasted sesame oil is another key ingredient. It’s dark and rich and flavorful, and has a nutty taste and aroma that I can’t get enough of. So make sure it’s toasted. For real.

The rest of the ingredients are pretty standard: garlic, ginger, soy sauce, lime juice. Oh, and something to spice it up a bit. You can use a Thai chili pepper, but that just adds extra work. Red pepper flakes are the next best thing. Or, you can try an amped up version, like Hot Roasted Garlic seasoning  from Ava Jane’s Kitchen . It’s perfect in this peanut sauce.

Making it is as simple as putting all of the ingredients in a bowl (I actually use this measuring cup) and whisking. It will be thick and creamy, so you’ll need to adjust it based on how you’re going to use it. Whisk in some water a tiny bit at a time to thin it out. It makes a perfect dip, marinade or salad dressing. Or drizzle it over roasted meat or veggies. Once you taste it, you’ll find a dozen ways to use it.