Malaysian Chinese-style Espagnole Sauce

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the traditional Espagnole sauce is infused with Malaysian Chinese flavors. The original recipe is enhanced with ingredients such as soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and Chinese five-spice powder, which lend a distinct Malaysian Chinese twist to the sauce. The result is a fusion sauce that combines the best of both culinary worlds. We alse have the original recipe for Espagnole sauce, so you can check it out.

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) soy sauce 2 tablespoons (30ml) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) oyster sauce 1 tablespoon (15ml) oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) dark soy sauce 1 tablespoon (15ml) dark soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon (5g) Chinese five-spice powder 1 teaspoon (5g) Chinese five-spice powder
• 2 cups (470ml) beef or vegetable broth 2 cups (470ml) beef or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons (30g) all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons (30g) all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 2g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the mixture becomes fragrant.
2. 2.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, and Chinese five-spice powder. Pour the mixture into the saucepan and stir well to combine with the onion mixture.
3. 3.
   Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir until it forms a thick paste.
4. 4.
   Gradually pour in the broth while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency.
5. 5.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, you can add more broth to thin it out.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Soy sauce — Opt for a high-quality soy sauce to ensure the best flavor. Light soy sauce works well in this recipe, but you can use dark soy sauce for a richer color and flavor.
• Chinese five-spice powder — If you don't have Chinese five-spice powder, you can make your own by combining equal parts ground cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of chili flakes or a chopped chili pepper to the sauce.
• If you prefer a smoother texture, you can strain the sauce after cooking to remove any onion or ginger bits.
• Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding more or less flour. If you want a thicker sauce, increase the amount of flour slightly.

Serving advice

Serve the Malaysian Chinese-style Espagnole Sauce as a dipping sauce for dumplings, drizzle it over stir-fried noodles or rice, or use it as a flavorful base for meat and vegetable dishes. It pairs well with beef, chicken, tofu, and a variety of vegetables.

Presentation advice

When serving, garnish the dish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions or cilantro for a pop of color. The glossy appearance of the sauce will make any dish look more appetizing.