Black Bean Sauce

I love these make ahead sauces and black bean is one of my most favorite. It is build with a few fresh ingredients for preparing impressively quick and bright tasting meals.

In Chinese black fermented beans is called Douchi/Dau see - read about it in Wikipedia

Try this sauce out in Steamed Pork Ribs and the traditional chinese Clams dishes.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup dried fermented black beans

1 bulb garlic - peeled
5 shallots - peeled
1 large piece ginger - skin removed
1 cup cooking oil

1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 teaspoon of soy sauce
1/2 cup shaoxing wine
Sugar and pepper to taste
Optional –chopped jalepeno peppers to taste

Sesame oil

Method

Rince black beans and drain well. Put into bowl, using a wooden spoon or fork, gently mash the black beans a few times slightly to release its flavor and pour shaoxing wine over. Allow to soak.

Using the chopper or food processor, mince the garlic, shallots and ginger until fine.

Heat oil and saute the minced garlic, shallots,ginger and chopped jalapeno peppers(if using) until fragrant, then add in the soaked black beans together with the wine. Allow it to come to the boil and adjust the taste with sugar and pepper.

Allow to cool, then put sauce into sterilized jar and top with sesame oil. Keep in the fridge.

Serves