Summer is here. So here are two BBQ sauces to hit the spot, one America, one Japanese! Use them over anything your are grilling.
I. Vinegar-BBQ Sauce
2 cups (5 dl) organic apple cider vinegar
1 cup (240 ml) water
1/4 cup (50 g) organic packed brown sugar
4 tsp. (20 g) hot pepper flakes
1 tsp. (5 g) ground black pepper
1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Stir until the sugar dissolved. Set aside.
3. Brush, pour, etc. over the food.
4. Put the remainder of the sauce in a pitcher on the table.
II. Asian Dipping Sauce
Used for the Dashi Sauce (#III)
1/2 ounce (15 g) or three 7-inch (18 cm pieces) of seaweed
2 cups (5 dl) cool water
1 ounce (15 g) shaved katsuobushi 鰹節 (a cheaper substitute is called "bonito flakes") (a dried, fermented skipjack tuna)
1 dried shiitake mushroom
1. In a medium saucepan, soak the seaweed in the water for 1-2 hours.
2. Set the pan on the the stove and turn the heat up too high.
3. When the water begins to bubbles, remove the seaweed with tongs and discard.
4. Stir in the katsuobushi into the broth, return to boil.
5. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1 minute.
6. Remove and let sit for 10 minutes.
katsuobushi shavings from a package
6. Remove and let sit for 10 minutes.
katsuobushi shavings from a package
III. Dashi Sauce
2 cups (5 dl) cooled Asian Dipping Sauce (#II above)
1/4 cup (50 g) each: thinly sliced organic scallions and roughly chopped cilantro or parsley
14 cup (60 ml) rice vinegar, cider vinegar, or ume plum vinegar
3 Tbs. (45 ml) soy sauce or (dairy-/gluten-free liquid aminos)
2 Tbs. (30 g) minced ginger
2 Tbs. (30 ml) mirin (substitutions: dry sherry, sweet marsala wine, or dry white wine + 1 Tbs./ 15 g of organic sugar)
1/2 tsp. (2,5 ml) toasted sesame oil
pinch of hot pepper flakes or togarashi (=Japanese condiment, good in noodles and soups; on fish, poultry, and beef)
1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Season to taste with more vinegar, soy, and red pepper flakes to taste.
3. Let it set for a few hours.
4. It will keep in the refrigerator for a week or until it starts to cloud.
