Years ago, now, we went to a friend’s house blessing, which, unlike a house warming, is done before the new occupants move in.
There are blessings and ceremony and, at the end, all of this terrific food!
Our friend had the food catered from a restaurant about 90 minutes south west of here, and we enjoyed Indian savories and sweets that I had not before seen.
Including Manchurian baby corn.
I went kinda crazy over that, and *might* have eaten most of one tray, so, when we got home, I went in search of how to make this magical Manchurian.
It turns out that first, I have to make this Sweet and Sour Sauce, which is really pretty simple to toss together in a small pot, and actually quite nice on its own.
INGREDIENTS
•1 tbsp cornstarch
•1 cup + 2 tbsp water
•1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
•1 cup sugar
•1 cup white vinegar
•1/4 tsp Salt (or to taste)
•1 tsp Cajun Power Spicy Garlic Pepper Sauce – or your fave hot sauce, to taste
•1/2 tsp White pepper (or to taste)
•2 tbsp ketchup*
*I use a spicy organic ketchup that a local company imports from Poland, but your fave will work a treat.
Note: as you prepare the sauce, it will go through a couple of stages where it is cloudy, then, with cooking, clear up.
Dissolve the cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water and 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and set aside.
Stir the one cup of sugar together with the vinegar, water, salt, pepper and hot sauce over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid is clear
Add the cornstarch mixture and continue cooking until bubbly and thick – you will note that the mixture is again cloudy.
I let it simmer for about 10 minutes, until thickened and mostly clear again.
Remove from heat and stir in the 2 tablespoons of ketchup.
Allow to cool, then transfer to jars and stash in the fridge until needed.
Soon, we will revisit the Manchurian Sauce, but you do not need to wait for that to use some of this sauce!
Drizzle some over fried shrimp tacos with scallions, sautéed red pepper strips, and Ranch Jalapeños.
For a bit of extra added fusion flavor, add a bit of your fave ranch dressing.