How to Make Chinese-Style Garlic-Flavored Peanuts

Coat peanuts in a Chinese garlic sauce for a tasty snack.

While peanuts are actually a part of the legume family, they are treated more like nuts than beans. Packed with protein, peanuts make for a great snack and frequently turn up in main course dishes. Peanuts are sold in a multitude of variations, including plain, dry-roasted and flavored. You can make your own flavored peanut snack at home by adding a Chinese-style garlic twist.

Things You'll Need

• Saucepan
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh garlic
• 2 tablespoons rice wine
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 cups peanuts, without skin

Instructions

1. Heat a small saucepan with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil over low to medium heat.

2. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of chopped fresh garlic to the saucepan; saute it for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, so the garlic does not burn.

3. Add the rice wine, rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, chili sauce and sugar to the sauce pan; turn the heat up to medium.

4. Stir the ingredients; bring the liquid to a boil.

5. Dissolve the cornstarch in the water; add it to the saucepan.

6. Turn the heat down to a simmer; stir the sauce until it thickens.

7. Turn off the heat; pour in the peanuts. Toss the peanuts well to coat them with the garlic sauce.

Tips & Warnings

• Use unsalted peanuts and low sodium soy sauce if you are concerned about your salt intake.

• Try using dry-roasted peanuts.

References

• The Peanut Institute: Peanut Facts
• FoodNetwork.com: Crispy Shrimp or Calamari with Chinese Noodles and Spicy Garlic Sauce