Satay Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped lemongrass
• 1/2 teaspoon shrimp paste
• 3 dried red chilies or 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 coriander root, chopped
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 5 ounces ground roasted peanuts or crunchy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons tamarind juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. 1

   In a blender, combine onion, lemon grass, shrimp paste, chilies, garlic, cumin, coriander and coriander roots with enough coconut milk to moisten.

2. 2

   Heat oil in saucepan.

3. 3

   Gentley stirfry onion mixture until it turns a pale pinky-brown.

4. 4

   Add remaining coconut milk, stirring briskly.

5. 5

   Reduce heat to low.

6. 6

   Add peanuts (or peanut butter) and still well.

7. 7

   Then add sugar and tamarind juice with a pinch of salt.

8. 8

   If the sauce is too thick add additional coconut milk; If it's too thin, simmer very gently to reduce -- coconut milk and peanuts burn very easily.