Sweet and Sour Sauce

sweet and sour sauce

Serves:

Ingredients

150

g

sugar

160

ml

water

60

ml

light soy sauce

80

ml

white vinegar

15

ml

tomato ketchup

1

tbsp

cornflower

Recipe submitted by: FoodCycle Clacton volunteers

Equipment needed: Saucepan and whisk

Method

  1. Add all the ingredients except the cornflour to a saucepan. Heat gently over medium heat, whisking continuously to dissolve the sugar and fully incorporate the ketchup into the mixture.

  2. Once the mixture is smooth and well-combined, remove it from the heat and set it aside while you prepare any vegetables or other ingredients.

  3. When you’re ready to use the sauce, bring it back to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir in a cornflour slurry (a mixture of cornflour and water) a little at a time, whisking constantly, until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.

  4. Before serving, taste the sauce and adjust the vinegar to balance the flavours. If it tastes too sweet, add a little extra vinegar. Keep in mind that white vinegar becomes less sharp the longer it cooks, so adjust as needed for a tangy kick.

Top Tips:

  • Pour the sauce over veg just before serving to prevent it from thinning due to released moisture, especially if holding on the hob or in the oven.
  • If your dish lacks garlic, chilli, or ginger, fry them in a pan first before adding the sauce ingredients. Don’t let the garlic burn to avoid bitterness.
  • Use arrowroot instead of cornflour for a neutral taste, glossy finish, and better freezing results. Add it at the end (85-96°C) to avoid breakdown, and stop heating once thickened. Use slightly less than cornflour.
  • Sub ketchup with tomato puree, tangy sauces (like brown sauce), or even marmalade. Last resort, use a fair bit of passata and adjust the sugar, soy and acidity before serving.

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Useful Conversions

1 tsp = 5 ml
1 tbsp = 3 tsp= 15 ml
1 serving of pasta = 1 standard full mug
4 servings of rice = 1 standard full mug

Remember: Cooking time varies based on the quantity of food you cook