Mai's - Houston, TX Peanut Sauce Recipe?

Question

I am trying to see if anyone knows the recipe to the peanut sauce at Mai's in Houston, TX. I have bought peanut sauce in the bottle at the grocery, several brands and it is not very appetizing at all. I have also tried some reciptes, but they all taste like peanut butter (duh, i know it is peanut sauce, but tastes nothing like the restaurants)...so if anyone has been to Mai's or knows the recipe...please pass on!!! Thanks!!

Answer 1

Thai Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

1/2 cup peanut oil

1/2 cup raw peanuts

2  freshThai chilesor serrano chilies

1 slice fresh ginger, 1/2 inch thick

4 cloves garlic

1/3 cup unsweetened coconut milk(canned or fresh)

2 teaspoons dark soy sauce

4 teaspoons fish sauce

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 pinch salt(add to taste, as fish sauce can be very salty)

1/2 cup finely mincedcilantro leaves, and stems

Directions

1. Heat the peanut oil to nearly smoking in a saucepan.

2. Turn off the heat and add the peanuts.

3. The peanuts should cook to a golden brown in 3-5 minutes.

4. If you burn them, throw them out and start all over again or your sauce will be bitter.

5. You may have to turn on the heat again, but stir the peanuts if you do.

6. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the peanuts to the container of a food processor or blender, along with 1 tablespoon of the peanut oil (reserve the rest) and blend them to a rough paste.

7. Add the chiles, ginger, garlic and continue to blend.

8. Add the remaining ingredients except the cilantro, and blend until smooth.

9. If it is too thick, add more oil.

10. Stir in cilantro, and serve as a dipping sauce with satay or anything else, or thin with oil and serve as a salad dressing.

http://www.recipezaar.com/63210

(*-*)

Answer 2

My friend gave me this recipe a while back. It took me a few tries to get the recipe just right, but when cooked correctly ... this peanut sauce is absolutely amazing!

1/2 cup unsalted roasted peanuts

1 tablespoon peanut oil, plus more to taste

2 fresh Thai chiles or other small chiles

1 1/2-inch-thick slice fresh ginger

4 garlic cloves

1/3 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk

2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce

4 teaspoons fish sauce

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Pinch salt (add to taste, as fish sauce can be very salty)

1/2 cup finely minced cilantro leaves and stems

To make the peanut sauce, add the peanuts along with the peanut oil to a food processor. Blend, on high, until the peanuts form a rough paste. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the cilantro; blend until smooth. Stir in the cilantro and thin with peanut oil to taste.

*to make it spicy ... add 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper

Hope this helps