All-Purpose Thai Basil Sauce
This versatile, easy basil sauce is a great way to use up any kind of basil you have on hand. Pour it onto any protein, or use it as a stir fry sauce. It uses only pantry staples, is it's quick to make and will last in the fridge for a week!
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce (see note 1)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
- 1/2 an onion (julienned)
- 6 clove garlic (chopped)
- 1-2 Thai chilies (chopped, optional)
- 1 cup chicken, pork, or vegetable stock (unsalted)
- ground white or black pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black or dark soy sauce (optional)
- 1/2 cup julienned red bell pepper
- 1+1/2 cup basil leaves of any kind (see note 2)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce and sugar together in a bowl.
- 2
In a wok or a skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. To help the onions cook faster you can add a splash of water and close the lid to allow it to steam for a minute. Then uncover and cook until all the water has evaporated.
- 3
Once the onions are soft and translucent, add the garlic and Thai chilies and stir until the garlic starts to brown.
- 4
Add about ¾ cup (180 ml) of the stock, the sauce mixture, and ground black or white pepper then stir to mix. If you want to darken the colour, add a dash of black/dark soy sauce.
- 5
Add the bell pepper and cook for about a minute, then turn off the heat and stir in the basil just until wilted. Taste the sauce, and if it is too salty, add the remaining stock or water to dilute; however, it should taste slightly too salty at this point because you will be adding protein to it.
- 6
Use right away, or allow to cool and keep in the fridge for at least a week. When ready to use, reheat the sauce and pour over pan seared protein such as fish, thinly sliced steak or pork chops - or use it as a stir fry sauce! Watch the video for a demo of how to use the sauce!