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Authentic Mala Sauce Recipe
Sichuan, China
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We strongly advise you to read the cooking tips before jumping to the recipe though
Introduction & history
Mala sauce is a savory and greasy dip customarily connected to the culinary traditions of the Sichuan province and the city of Chongqing. It is prepared with chili peppers, oil, Sichuan pepper, and a number of other flavorings. First, chili flakes and pepper are finely ground, then combined with other spices, such as star anise, clove, fennel, black cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon. The mixture is then simmered in vegetable oil, or a mixture of oil and beef tallow, then packed into a jar. Chili powder and douban paste (salted, fermented bean paste) are also occasionally added to the sauce. This famous dip has seen many regional variations throughout China. It is eaten with a whole variety of different foods, including squid, shrimp, barbecued pork, chicken, corn, and mushrooms. Besides being used as a condiment, the sauce is also employed in the preparation of several different meals, such as hot pots, stir-fries, grilled noodles, and soups.
Serve With
Cooking tips
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oil
Use vegetable oil with neutral flavor and with a high smoking point. Don't go for oils that have a distinct flavor to them, like olive or sesame oil. Also, stay away from oils that have a strong green color, such as avocado oil. Some of the traditional choices include soybean or peanut oil. Grapeseed oil and canola oil are also appropriate for this recipe. Some sources recommend using rice bran oil,... Read more -
chili peppers
Jing Tao or Chao Tian Jiao peppers would be the traditional choice, but they can be hard to acquire at times. A good option is to use roughly ground Korean Gochugaru, which has a lively red color, great chili flavor, and a medium amount of heat. If you wish to add some more heat into your dip, you can add cayenne or arbol chilies with the Gochugaru. Cayenne and arbol chiles are too hot for using alone ... Read more -
spices
There is a variety of spices to choose from when deciding what to use in your mala sauce, from star anise, cloves, and fennel, to cinnamon, cardamom, and coriander. Some like to use the Chinese five-spice powder, a seasoning mix made with star anise, Chinese cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, and Sichuan pepper. Angelica dahurica, douban paste, chili powder, and sand ginger are also possible additions.... Read more -
preparation method
When it comes to the preparation method, there are some differences between experts. In order to avoid burning the chili peppers, some suggest merely pouring the hot oil and spice mixture over them, instead of simmering them in oil. Alternative sources advise simmering the peppers in oil for shorter or longer periods of time. -
storing
Since mala sauce usually incorporates some fresh low-acid vegetables, such as garlic and ginger, it is important to exert some caution when making and storing it at home. Fresh vegetables, herbs, and fruits can be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum spores, which flourish in an oxygen-free environment such as oil, and can cause botulism in humans. The safest way to go is to use properly dried ... Read more
Mala Sauce
PREP 10min
COOK 15min
cooling 2h
READY IN 2h 25min
This recipe combines roasted peanut oil, which bears a rich, nutty scent, Sichuan pepper, and Chinese chilies with some selected spices and ingredients for a traditional mala sauce.
Ingredients
¾ cup (180 ml) roasted peanut oil
1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
1 star anise pod
½ small cinnamon stick
1 small shallot, minced
1 small garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp Sichuan peppercorn
½ cup (20g) dried hot Chinese chiles
¼ cup (60 ml) toasted sesame oil
Preparation
Step 1/3
Heat the peanut oil in a skillet over a low flame to 175ºF/80°C.
Step 2/3
Add all of the spices and cook until the oil reaches a temperature of 225ºF/107°C over moderately low heat. Simmer at 225ºF/107°C for 5 minutes.
Step 3/3
Pour the mixture into a heatproof jar and leave it to cool. Mix in the toasted sesame oil.
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