Sabahan Spicy Seafood Sauce

Ingredients

This Sabahan adaptation of XO Sauce incorporates the unique flavors and ingredients of Sabahan cuisine. It replaces the traditional dried seafood and Chinese ham with fresh local seafood, such as prawns, squid, and fish, giving the sauce a distinct Sabahan twist. The addition of Sabahan chili peppers and lemongrass adds a fragrant and spicy kick, making it a perfect fit for the Sabahan palate. We alse have the original recipe for XO Sauce, so you can check it out.

• 200g (7 oz) fresh prawns, peeled and deveined 200g (7 oz) fresh prawns, peeled and deveined
• 200g (7 oz) squid, cleaned and sliced into rings 200g (7 oz) squid, cleaned and sliced into rings
• 200g (7 oz) white fish fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces 200g (7 oz) white fish fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, finely chopped 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 2 red chili peppers, finely chopped 2 red chili peppers, finely chopped
• 1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, finely chopped 1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, finely chopped
• 1 thumb-sized ginger, grated 1 thumb-sized ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 1.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 8g, 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic, chopped shallots, chopped chili peppers, chopped lemongrass, and grated ginger. Sauté until fragrant.
2. 2.
   Add prawns, squid, and fish to the pan. Cook until the seafood is cooked through and slightly browned.
3. 3.
   Stir in oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and salt. Mix well to coat the seafood evenly.
4. 4.
   Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
5. 5.
   Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro.
6. 6.
   Serve the Sabahan Spicy Seafood Sauce as a condiment alongside grilled seafood or steamed rice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Prawns — Make sure to devein the prawns properly to remove any grit or sand.
• Squid — If using fresh squid, ensure it is cleaned thoroughly by removing the innards and the transparent cartilage. If using frozen squid, thaw it completely before cooking.
• Lemongrass — Use only the white part of the lemongrass stalk, as the green part can be tough and fibrous.

Tips & Tricks

• Adjust the spiciness of the sauce by adding more or fewer chili peppers according to your preference.
• For a richer flavor, you can add a small amount of dried shrimp or anchovies to the sauce.
• Serve the Sabahan Spicy Seafood Sauce with steamed rice or as a dipping sauce for grilled seafood.

Serving advice

Serve the Sabahan Spicy Seafood Sauce as a condiment alongside grilled prawns, squid, and fish. It can also be served as a dipping sauce for steamed rice or used to enhance the flavor of stir-fried vegetables.

Presentation advice

Garnish the Sabahan Spicy Seafood Sauce with fresh cilantro to add a pop of color. Serve it in a small bowl or ramekin alongside the main seafood dish for an attractive presentation.