How to Make XO Sauce

"XO" stands for high quality and prestige in Hong Kong, and it describes the deep flavor of this sauce. This sauce is made from dried seafood and costs between $25 and $30 USD for an 8-ounce jar. It can cost even more, depending on its quality.

Shallot

If you've ever wondered how to make XO sauce, you've come to the right place. This spicy Asian condiment is an easy way to spice up almost any dish. You can use it as a stir-fry sauce, or drizzle it on roasted vegetables.

The first step in making XO sauce is to soak the dry ingredients, which include garlic and shallots. You'll also need to cut up the red chilies. Crushing them would burn quickly in the deep-fryer. Once these three ingredients are combined, stir them together to combine.

Dried shrimp is softer than dried scallops. Soak them for 15 minutes before using. You can skip steaming them if you prefer. Then, cut them into small pieces, about the size of rice grains. You'll also need oil. Oil is essential because it brings out the flavors of the ingredients. You need enough oil to coat all the ingredients evenly and keep them from oxidizing.

Garlic

XO sauce is a Chinese condiment that can be used to flavor any dish. It's a great addition to eggs, fried rice, noodles, and soups. It's also great on seafood! For an authentic XO sauce, you should use cured ham from China, although you can substitute smoked ham.

XO sauce contains three secondary ingredients: garlic, shallots, and red chilies. These ingredients are typically chopped into small pieces. You should also remove the seeds from the red chile. Once you've prepped all of the ingredients, you can begin to prepare the sauce.

To make XO sauce, you need some oil in a large saucepan or wok. You can use the same oil you'd use for stir-frying other foods. Make sure to use a medium heat, as the oil will quickly heat up. Be careful, because the XO sauce will overflow and create a lot of bubbles.

XO sauce is an iconic Hong Kong condiment. Its rich, garlicky taste is perfect as a dip or topping for foods. This Chinese condiment is also very versatile, since you can use it to top any kind of food, from dumplings to vegetables.

Red chilies

In Hong Kong, the XO sauce is considered the emperor of all sauces. It is a rich, savory condiment made from high-quality ingredients such as dried scallops, shrimps, and Jinhua dry-cured ham. The salty and briny flavors of the seafood are balanced with the sweetness of fried shallots and dried chili peppers, which give the dish a complex taste.

For a traditional XO sauce, a mixture of oyster sauce, fish paste, and finely chopped onions is added to the cooking liquid. Some recipes add fish sauce and sesame oil to the mixture. Other recipes may contain ham, garlic, or both. Once the ingredients are mixed, the sauce is ready.

You can buy ready-made XO sauce from most Asian grocery stores. But for a quality sauce, you should consider making it at home. You will get a better taste and pay less for the sauce. In addition, you can make it with very few ingredients. A jar of XO sauce makes about two ounces.

In addition to serving it as a table condiment, you can also use XO sauce in cooking. It can enhance the flavors of meats, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and noodles. If you have extra sauce, you can freeze it in portions for later use.

Fish sauce

The first step in making XO sauce is to prepare the dried scallops and shrimp. You can buy dried scallops and shrimp in Asian markets or online. You can also use cured ham. Chinese cured ham is not easily available in the West, so you may need to purchase it from a Chinese supermarket. Prosciutto can also be used as a substitute. However, you will have to pay a higher price for this ingredient. Once you've prepared the dry ingredients, you can simmer them gently and often. The sauce should be dark and sticky when finished.

The scallops and shrimp can be shredded by hand or in a food processor. Make sure to discard any tough bits such as adductor muscles. The longer the scallops and shrimp soak, the more flavorful they will impart to the XO sauce. Another important tip is to cook the sauce on low heat. This is crucial because the sauce can get too thick if the ingredients are overcooked.

The ingredients used in XO sauce vary, but their essence remains the same. Traditionally, it includes dried scallops and shrimp, along with aromatics and chilies. It also usually contains chicken stock or dark soy sauce. Other ingredients commonly used in this sauce are chiles, garlic, and onion.

Sesame oil

If you're wondering how to make XO sauce, there are several things you should know. The sauce is extremely versatile and can be used for stir-frying any type of meal. You can also use it to sprinkle over roasted vegetables. Listed below are some of the ingredients you will need to make XO sauce.

First, you will need shallots, garlic, and red chilies. Shallots and garlic should be chopped finely. The red chilies should be peeled and de-seeded. Make sure you do not crush them since they would burn quickly in the deep-frying process.

Once you have your ingredients, you can start mixing them together and making XO sauce. This sauce has a savory, seafood flavor and is very versatile. Many Asian dishes are enhanced by adding this sauce to them. Sesame oil is another ingredient that makes the sauce rich and delicious.

Scallops

The first step in making XO sauce with scallops is to soak them overnight. Once you have done that, you can shred the scallops by hand or use a food processor. The longer the scallops soak in water, the more flavorful the sauce will be. You can also add the water from the soaking process to the XO sauce.

Once soaked, you can prepare the XO sauce by placing the scallops and ham in a saucepan or a small pot. Fill the pan with about an inch of water. Cook for about 20 minutes. After the scallops have cooked, save the liquid for the sauce. Then, break up the scallops with your fingers and process them into fine threads.

Next, add the chicken stock and XO sauce. Stir the ingredients until well blended. You can add a little more sauce if you like a thicker sauce. Make sure to not overcook the scallops.

Dried shrimp

For a simple recipe, try using dried shrimp and scallops. Dried scallops can be found in Asian markets and can be substituted for dried shrimp. They need soaking only 15 minutes and do not need to be steamed. Once soaked, chop them into rice-grain-sized pieces. XO sauce is best made by deep-frying the main ingredients. The oil ensures a long-lasting sauce and prevents oxidation.

Dried shrimp and scallops are similar to the flavor of sambal tumis, but dried shrimp are cheaper and easier to find. They are also much smaller, but they have the same umami flavor. Both dried scallops and shrimp need soaking time, but the soaking time for dried shrimp is shorter. Dried shrimp are often used in Malaysian chili sauces, including sambal tumis.

Dried scallops are also used in XO sauce. This savory condiment can be used as a condiment or to season fried rice. It can be used in soups, noodles, eggs, and more. The sauce is the ultimate condiment.