Garlic Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

• 1/2 small onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 1 large stalk of fresh lemongrass, bottom third of the tender white inner bulb only, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 2 tablespoons sambal oelek (see Note)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate (see Note)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons smooth or chunky peanut butter
• Salt

Steps

1. In a mini food processor, combine the chopped onion, chopped garlic and lemongrass, and process to a paste.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the vegetable oil. Add the onion paste and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Add the ground coriander and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the sambal oelek and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the coconut milk and boil over high heat until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tamarind concentrate, sugar and peanut butter until smooth. Remove from the heat and season with salt. Let cool, then transfer to a bowl.