Vegan Cooking & Cookbooks discussion

Hey All.

I am looking for a really easy and quick to make spicy peanut sauce. I've experimented but haven't come up with anything really great.

I don't have a food processor OR a blender.

The recipe can't contain ANY vinegar in any of the ingredients.

I've tried chunky and creamy natural peanut butter (only ingredient peanuts) with lime and crushed red pepper and/or cayenne and water to thin it out. It's okay but I suspect members here will have some better ideas.

I appreciate any of them. Thanks.

I don't have a specific recipe that I use, Lisa. I usually just make it up too. I'd probably add a bit of sweetener to the ingredients you listed above and maybe some Bragg's.

Oh, yes, Lee, I did add Braggs! I knew I was forgetting something. No sweetener though and doubt I'd personally need it. I tend not to like savory dishes that are too sweet. I never add sweetener to tomato sauce, for instance, which I know many people do. Thanks though!

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/re...

This is the base recipe for my go-to peanut sauce. It does require a couple minutes of prep and a few minutes cooking on the stove, but in my opinion, the results are worth it. I replace the fish sauce with Bragg's. The sugar could easily be omitted if you aren't a fan of sweet-savory sauces. For heat, I double the curry paste, add crushed red pepper flakes with the shallots and garlic, and then sriracha at the end if I still need more heat.

Thanks, Kristina. I'm not a fan of coconut either, even though I know it's a typical part of the cuisine, especially if a Thai peanut sauce. This does look interesting though! Gave me some ideas!!

Hi Lisa, I mix 10 oz of tomato juice with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (I like crunchy!). I add 2 teaspoons of sweet chilli sauce but you could use a vinegar hot sauce. The chilli sauce is sweetener, water, red chilli and garlic. Perhaps omit the sauce, gently fry the chilli and garlic before mixing with everything else. Maybe a tiny bit of cornflour to thicken? The recipe is based on something from 'La Dolce Vegan' and I had it last night.

I meant vinegar free hot sauce of course...

Thanks, Barry. Hmm. How strong is the tomato flavor? Does the peanut flavor come through strongly? I love tomato sauce and peanut sauce but I hadn't thought of combining those 2 flavors. Interesting!

Don wrote: "Tomato and peanut butter make a very tasty combination. I've seen it in African recipes mostly. Vegan Fire and Spice (Now Hot Vegan) has a couple of recipes that use that combination."

I love vegan African cuisines, so it's probably worth a try. Thanks, Don and Barry.

Lisa wrote: "Thanks, Barry. Hmm. How strong is the tomato flavor? Does the peanut flavor come through strongly? I love tomato sauce and peanut sauce but I hadn't thought of combining those 2 flavors. Interesting!"

I suppose it does depend on the quality of your tomato juice but it does come through - it's more of a spicy peanut tomato sauce. I recommend it.

Thanks again, Barry. Given that I like both kinds of sauces, it definitely sounds worth trying.

This "Cheater Pad Thai" recipe is my go to recipe for a really quick dinner. The peanut sauce requires no cooking, is super easy, and you can make it as hot as you like by changing the amount of hot sauce used. I use Braggs instead of soy sauce.

http://www.thechinastudy.com/endorsed...

Thank you, Tracy. That looks doable too. I'm definitely often for easy. That's why the peanut sauce I've been making is good: it's very simple.

Lisa wrote: "Thanks, Kristina. I'm not a fan of coconut either, even though I know it's a typical part of the cuisine, especially if a Thai peanut sauce. This does look interesting though! Gave me some ideas!!"

So, Lisa, did you ever try to cook this? If so, what did you think?

Terri, I think I made adapted versions. Very good.