Sweet and Sour Sauce

Name: Sweet and Sour Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 cup pineapple juice (canned or bottled); 1/4 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup rice vinegar; 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free); 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 tbsp cornstarch; 1/4 cup cold water

A glossy, tangy Chinese-American dipping sauce made from pineapple juice, rice vinegar, and ketchup, balanced with a touch of soy and sugar. Ready in minutes and perfect with fried dishes, spring rolls, and dumplings.

15 minEasyServes 860 cal/serving

ChineseSauceStovetopVeganVegetarianLow CarbKosher-styleDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreeShellfish-FreeLow-SodiumPork-Free

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Ingredients

1 cup pineapple juice (canned or bottled)
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water

Instructions

1

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup pineapple juice (canned or bottled), 1/4 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free), and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar and bring to a gentle simmer.
2

In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water until smooth to make a slurry.
3

Pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
4

Remove from heat. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as desired. Serve warm or let cool before storing in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

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Questions

What should Sweet and Sour Sauce look like when it is ready?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 3: cook until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.

Why mix the cornstarch with water first in Sweet and Sour Sauce?

Step 2 reads: "In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water until smooth to make a slurry." Dry starch clumps the moment it meets hot liquid. The slurry in step 2 disperses it first, and it only thickens once the sauce comes back to a simmer.

Is there a substitute for rice vinegar in Sweet and Sour Sauce?

The entry for Sweet and Sour Sauce calls for 1/4 cup rice vinegar. In its place: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, softened with a pinch of sugar, is close. Avoid plain distilled vinegar at full strength, which is much sharper.

Is Sweet and Sour Sauce low-carb?

A serving of Sweet and Sour Sauce carries 14 g of carbohydrate. Against a strict 20 g keto day that is 70 percent of the budget; against a moderate 100 g low-carb day it is 14 percent.

How many carbs are in Sweet and Sour Sauce?

One serving (the recipe makes 8) has 14 g of carbohydrate in about 60 calories, with 0 g protein and 0 g fat, plus 240 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

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