Sa Tế (Vietnamese Lemongrass Chili Sauce)
This Vietnamese Sa Tế is the Lemongrass Chili Sauce that keeps well for ages, is SUPER easy to make and pairs well with vegetables and meats!
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 20 min
- Yield
- 20 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 200 g / 0.44 lb fresh chili ((or to preference))
- 50 g / 0.11 lb garlic
- 50 g / 0.11 lb red shallot
- 5 stalks lemongrass
- 20 g / 0.05 lb galangal ((optional))
- 40 g / 0.09 lb dried chili flakes ((optional))
- 1/2 US cup annatto seeds
- 1 Chinese cinnamon bark
- 1 star anise
- 1/2 tsp salt ((or to taste))
- 1/2 tsp sugar ((or to taste))
- 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon powder
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 US cup cooking oil ((for annatto seeds))
- 1 US cup cooking oil ((for cooking aromatics))
Instructions
- 1
Cut the chili so that you're left with just the red part of the plant and put them in the oven preheated at 180°C (356°F) to roast for 10 minutes or until dehydrated. Put them in a bowl to cool when ready.Tip: Line the tray with foil to prevent any sticking.
- 2
Meanwhile, finely chop the garlic, red shallots and galangal.
- 3
Chop the lemongrass roughly into 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8") segments.
- 4
Use a food processor to blitz the lemongrass, then pour into a bowl and set aside for later.
- 5
Repeat the previous step with the roasted chilis.
- 6
Pour the annatto seeds into 2 US cup oil in a saucepan and keep the heat on low to infuse the color into the oil for 3-5 minutes or until red. Use a sieve to strain the seeds from the oil into a bowl.
- 7
In a new saucepan or wok, combine 1 US cups oil with the star anise and Chinese cinnamon bark on low heat for 2 minutes or until the aromatics begin to bubble.
- 8
Remove the star anise and Chinese cinnamon bark and add the chopped garlic, red shallots and galangal to brown for 1 minute.
- 9
Pour in the lemongrass, chili, dried chili flakes, fish sauce, salt, sugar and chicken bouillon powder and stir for 10 minutes or until golden.
- 10
Pour in the annatto seed oil and stir to combine for 1 minute.
- 11
Let the Sa Tế cool and store in airtight containers to be enjoyed with your meals!