Nuoc Cham... if you like Asian sauces....

K

Kimchee

Guest
It is a common Vietnamese condiment; supposedly every family has
their own version. This is mine. I admit, I am addicted to this stuff....

Fish sauce, sugar and lime juice make a great flavor trilogy!
This is slightly spicy, sweet, sour, umami rich, and goes well on
most stir fries, noodle bowls, and as a dipping sauce.
I also like it on quite a bit of other foods...

This recipe is perfect for an old Frank's Hot Sauce bottle quantity..

6 oz hot water
4 TBSP brown sugar
3 oz Fish Sauce (I like 3 Crabs or Squid brand)
2 oz Lime Juice
1-4 garlic cloves, minced
1-5 fresh Thai, cayenne, serrano, jalpeno peppers... whatever
you can get. For a large pepper, go for 1 TBSP or so.
optional additions:
1/2 TBSP shallot, minced
3 TBSP fresh cilantro, chopped.

Dissolve the sugar in the hot water. Mix in all the other ingredients
and let sit for at least an hour. Keeps for 2 weeks or more in fridge.
 

High Cheese

Saucier
Sounds good! I need another refrigerator just for sauces.

+1 on that!

Hey Kimchee, is there a big difference in taste with fish sauce? I picked some out in the Asian market a while back but it seemed like there was a hundred different sauces. I saw 3 crabs brand but got something else. I asked a woman there (Chinese I assume) and she just looked at me like I was retarded. lol Some had actual fish in the bottle, some were dark, some light. :confused:
 

joec

New member
Gold Site Supporter
Fish sauces like oils, vinegars, wines etc are different across brands, countries usually. They all use different stocks, cooking methods and ingredients. I have a couple of different brands depending on what I'm making.
 

joec

New member
Gold Site Supporter
I have a 20 oz bottle of 3 crabs and find it kind of heavy tasting at least to me. I actually like the Squid and Tra Chang brands as both are less fishy tasting but add flavor.
 
K

Kimchee

Guest
Squid is a popular brand, most often used in the Thai and Vietnamese restaurants
around here. I like 3 Crabs because it has a bit more flavor.
Just be sure to get a bottle that is "first pressing", which is the best quality. Tiparos,
3 Crabs, Squid are all "premium" brands.
For your average use, any of these should work well.

One great flavor combination for fish sauce is with sugar and lime juice.

Think of fish sauce as kind of the Soy Sauce of Southeast Asia. A little goes a long
way in most recipes, and it is a wonderful "Secret ingredient" in many non-oriental
dishes! (I have been known to add a bit to chili, bbq sauces, fish dishes,
italian gravies, marinades and more! Fun to experiment with; it IS umami.)
 

joec

New member
Gold Site Supporter
I do like the 3 Crabs in my home made Kim Chee. I add a bit to the liquid in the jar when I make it.
 
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