Peanut Sauce

8	tablespoons peanut butter, crunchy
1	onion, finely chopped
1	cup thick coconut milk
1	tablespoon brown sugar, or palm sugar
1	teaspoon cayenne*
1	stalk lemon grass, finely chopped
1	tablespoon fish sauce, nam pla
1	tablespoon dark sweet soy sauce

In a sauce pan combine all the sauce ingredients and bring to a simmer, stirring, until you reach the desired consistency. (5 to 10 minutes)  Remove from the heat and serve in small bowls as an accompaniment.

* I use two to three teaspoons of freshly ground cayenne. This can be made by grinding crushed red or whole dried red peppers in a coffee grinder, there is a significant difference in taste and heat. 

Source: The Original Thai Cookbook
Jennifer Brennan
Page 81


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11:14 PM 3/4/98
rfr

 *  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                       Katjang Sauce:  Peanut Sauce

Recipe By     : Let's Go Dutch Again
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Ethnic Foods                     Sauces

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/2  medium        onion -- chopped fine
   2      cloves        garlic -- crushed
     1/2  teaspoon      brown sugar
   2      teaspoons     sambal oelek*
     1/2  teaspoon      mild paprika
   1 1/2  teaspoons     ginger powder
     2/3  cup           smooth peanut butter -- or crunchy
   2      tablespoons   ketjap manis,  sweet soy sauce*
   3      tablespoons   milk
   1      teaspoon      lemon juice
                        salt and pepper -- to taste

Mix onion and garlic.  Place in a bowl and add the brown sugar.  Mash
with the back of a spoon to make a paste.  Brown the paste in the oil
at very low heat, then stir in the rest of the spices.  Add the peanut
butter and, when the sauce is brown, add the ketjap manis and the
milk. 
Keep stirring at low heat until the sauce thickens.  Finally, add the
lemon juice, salt and pepper.  If the sauce is too thick, add a little
more milk until it reaches a better consistency.

                   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

NOTES : *Ketjap manis is a sweet  Indonesian soy sauce.  It may be
found in Dutch stores, some Chinese stores or maybe European Delis.
It is worth looking for, as it is just delicious!

*Sambal oelek is a paste made from marinaded chili peppers.  It can be
found in Chinese groceries, or Dutch stores. 

~~~