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Dipping sauces are versatile condiments that enhance or balance the flavours of foods that they are typically paired with. From a creamy tartare sauce that compliments crunchy fried calamari or prawns to a warm, cheesy sauce blanketing a bed of nachos – dipping sauces are surely an important element in experiencing a dish in terms of flavour, texture and also appearance. Perhaps one of the most popular foods that goes along pretty fantastic with a dipping sauce is dumplings. Whether frozen or freshly made, these pockets of vegetables, seafood or meat are mellow in flavour and pair well with a spicy, umami or even sweet dipping sauce – depending on what your palette preferences are. Here are four easy-to-make dumpling dipping sauces to turn your meal of frozen dumplings from basic to fabulous!
Soy-Ginger Sauce
Image Credits: Andrew Zimmern
Closer to a classic umami dipping sauce that you would usually enjoy dipping your warm dumplings into, this sauce is spiked with warm heat from the minced ginger and has a light but prominent effect on amplifying the flavours of juicy chicken or vegetarian dumplings. Since vegetables or chicken as a filling can be light in flavour, this soy-ginger dipping sauce is perfect to make often.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Method
Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined. Serve as a dipping sauce for dumplings.
Spicy Peanut Sauce
Image Credits: My Market Kitchen
Inspired by the popular satay sauce eaten with grilled meat skewers, this spicy peanut sauce is creamier in consistency and rich in flavour compared to the usual light dipping sauces. Pair this robustly flavoured peanut sauce with tofu or pork dumplings or simply enjoy with a side of crispy pan-fried dumplings of your choice. Here’s a hot tip: save some of the dipping sauce to use as a dressing over your chicken salad for lunch.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon sriracha sauce
- 2 tablespoons warm water
Method
- Whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and chili paste until smooth.
- Add warm water gradually until you reach your desired consistency.
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Sweet Chilli Sauce
Image Credits: My Food Story
For those who prefer to try something different and less savoury, the sweet chilli sauce is the perfect pantry sauce and ideal to make a jar of to keep in your refrigerator, at all times. The dipping sauce is also versatile to use in Asian stir fries or eat with a portion of French fries, for a hot and sweet kick. Pair the dipping sauce with spicy pork or chicken dumplings for a delicate balance of savoury and sweet flavours.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped coriander
Method
Whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl and serve with steamed or fried dumplings.
Black Vinegar Sauce
Image Credits: Healthy Nibbles
A unique sour dipping sauce, this black vinegar sauce gets its name from two of its key ingredients – vinegar and dark soy sauce. With the slight sweetness from spring onions to offset the sharp sourness, the black vinegar sauce pairs well with pretty much all kinds of dumplings and taste best with seafood stuffed dumplings. Made with easy-to-find ingredients, this simple sauce is an instant boost of flavour and can be drizzled over fried rice as well.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 green onion, chopped
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon chili oil
Method
Combine the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and rest for 10-12 minutes at room temperature before serving.
