Homemade Spicy XO Sauce

Ingredients

• 50g (1.8 oz) dried shrimp 50g (1.8 oz) dried shrimp
• 50g (1.8 oz) dried scallops 50g (1.8 oz) dried scallops
• 10 dried chili peppers 10 dried chili peppers
• 4 cloves of garlic 4 cloves of garlic
• 1 small onion 1 small onion
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 0.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 2g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Soak the dried shrimp and scallops in warm water for 15 minutes, then drain.
2. 2.
   Remove the seeds from the dried chili peppers and soak them in hot water for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. 3.
   Finely chop the garlic and onion.
4. 4.
   Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion, and sauté until fragrant.
5. 5.
   Add the soaked dried shrimp, scallops, and chili peppers to the pan. Stir-fry for 5 minutes.
6. 6.
   Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
7. 7.
   Remove from heat and let the sauce cool completely.
8. 8.
   Transfer the sauce to a blender or food processor and blend until desired consistency is reached.
9. 9.
   Store the Spicy XO Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Dried shrimp — Make sure to soak the dried shrimp in warm water to rehydrate them before using in the recipe.
• Dried scallops — Soaking the dried scallops in warm water helps to soften them and bring out their flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• Adjust the spiciness level by adding more or fewer chili peppers according to your preference.
• For a smoother texture, blend the sauce for a longer duration.
• Customize the sauce by adding other ingredients like dried mushrooms or dried fish for additional flavors.
• Store the sauce in small jars or ice cube trays for easy portioning and use.

Serving advice

Serve the Spicy XO Sauce as a condiment alongside stir-fried vegetables, noodles, rice, or as a dipping sauce for dumplings and spring rolls. It adds a burst of flavor to any dish.

Presentation advice

Transfer the Spicy XO Sauce to a small bowl or jar, garnish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions or sesame seeds for an attractive presentation.