How to Make Chinese Sweet and Sour Sauce

Ever want to make authentic Chinese sweet and sour sauce? After reading these instructions, you'll be surprised at how simple it is.

Things You'll Need

• Rice vinegar
• Water
• Brown sugar
• Cornstarch

Instructions

1. Combine 1/2 cup each of brown sugar, rice vinegar and water in a small pot. Mix ingredients.

2. Put 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in a small cup and slowly add warm water until the mixture is slightly runny. You'll use this to thicken the sauce.

3. Take the mixture from step 1 and place on the stove. Turn on the burner and slowly bring the mixture to a boil. Once the sauce is boiling reduce the heat to medium.

4. Use a spoon or fork to stir the cornstarch mixture that is in the cup since the cornstarch will have settled.

5. Slowly add about 2-3 tablespoons of the cornstarch mixture to the sweet and sour sauce. While adding the cornstarch, use a fork or a whisk to stir the sauce to break up any clumps. Allow the sauce to return to a low boil. If necessary, add more cornstarch until desired thickness is achieved.

6. Once the sweet and sour sauce is ready, either place in a bowl for dipping or serve over your favorite dish.

Tips & Warnings

• Add some diced pineapples to this sauce for additional flavoring.

• An easy way to remember how to make this is to simply use equal parts of water, brown sugar and rice vinegar. Thicken the sauce and you are ready to go.

• If you add the cornstarch too quickly, the sauce will become lumpy.

• Don't substitute regular vinegar for the rice vinegar. Regular vinegar is too tart.

• Don't substitute white sugar for the brown sugar. White sugar has a stronger flavor than brown sugar.