Chinese Sweet and Sour Sauce

BeachGirl's Note:

When dining at a "family-style" Chinese restaurant in San Francisco's China Town, I tasted the absolute BEST Sweet and Sour sauce. After many attempts to re-create that special taste, I finally captured it! This can be used for Sweet and Sour chicken, pork or shrimp. It is also a good dipping sauce for Wontons. It has a very festive red-orange color.

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 4

Yield: 1.5 cups

• ½ cup catsup
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar (1/4 cup + 2 tbs)
• ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
• ¾ teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons water

Directions:

1. Combine cornstarch and water.
2. Set aside.
3. In saucepan heat all remaining ingredients until sugar is dissolved and liquid is hot.
4. Slowly add the cornstarch and water mixture, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, about 1 minute.
5. Remove from heat.
6. Serve warm or room temperature.

Reviews

[Sharon123]

This went great with the chicken bites I made tonight! Just the right sweet with sour. My daughter loves s&s sauce, so we will be making this often! Thanks!

[davianng]

Although I am used to and love the restaurant-style/pineapple type of sweet sauce, this has made a convert of me! Made this to go with homemade fried rice and chow mein, and it is spectacular! Thanks for a great recipe.

[Tim Jordan]

Good consistency, color and balance of sweet and sour. Vinegar flavor comes through too strongly, however. May try lemon juice instead of red wine vinegar next time.