Peanut Sauce for Satay / Quick food

In Thailand, people use peanuts ground up in a mortar instead of peanut butter and the sauce is granular with just a little creaminess. However, I use peanut butter because peanut butter is essentially finely ground peanuts and more convenient and common in American kitchens. The peanut butter I prefer is chunky natural, freshly ground (instead of the brands that have sugar or vegetable oil added). Smooth peanut butter will do too, if that is what you have in your kitchen.

4 Servings, Prep Time: 10 Minutes, Total Time: 10 Minutes

3/4 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon red curry paste
2 tablespoons fish sauce
2-3 tablespoons peanut butter
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon tamarind paste

Add the coconut milk to a cold sauce pan and start to heat it up at medium heat. As it is heating, stir in the curry paste and break the paste into small pieces. Mix well. When you see red oil simmering to the top, add the peanut butter and the rest of ingredients. Stir and taste. You should be able to taste the fish sauce, sugar and tamarind flavors. If it becomes too thick, add a few teaspoons of water to thin the paste.

Serve with satay and cucumber salad. Place the sauce on a flat plate for easy dip, saucer dish is the best!