Do you have a favorite comfort food that you just can’t live without? I know my mom’s famous crying tiger sauce is one of them. She would always make it for me when I was sad and the salty sweet taste made me feel better in an instant. Now, it’s my turn to bring this recipe to the world! Here are some tips on how to recreate her delicious recipe at home.
Today, I am going to share my recipe for crying tiger sauce recipe. It is a Vietnamese dish with a spicy and tangy taste that can be served as an appetizer or with rice noodles. The heat level of the sauce will depend on how much chili you add, so feel free to adjust it according to your preferences!
The recipe for the crying tiger sauce is delicious. This sauce has a wonderful flavor to it, and you can use it to flavor just about anything. The sauce may be served on the side of grilled meats or vegetables, but it is also delicious served on its own. If you’re looking for a fast and easy sauce, this sauce is perfect for you. Chinese cooking has many traditional sauces to use, but this sauce is by far my fave!
The Saga of the Crying Tiger Sauce
The Crying Tiger Sauce, or Suea Rong Hai in its native Thai, is a gastronomic marvel that originates from the Lao and Northeastern Thai cuisine. This sauce, with its distinctive fusion of flavors, has an intriguing backstory and an equally captivating name.
The Story Behind the Name
The term ‘Crying Tiger’ is steeped in local folklore. There are multiple narratives that attempt to elucidate this captivating nomenclature. One tale suggests that the dish is so delectable that it would bring a tiger to tears. The strips of beef often served with the sauce are likened to the tears of the tiger.
Another ancient belief posits that people would often stumble upon the remnants of cows preyed upon by tigers. The tigers, believed to possess human-like emotions and feelings, would weep because they’d mostly leave the brisket cut to decay instead of consuming it.
Some imaginative minds compare the appearance of the brisket cut to the skin of a tiger, dubbing it “tiger meat”. Once this meat is grilled, the fat that accumulates in the muscle fibers is melted by the heat and drops like a tear, hence the crying tiger.
Crafting the Crying Tiger Sauce
Crying Tiger Sauce, also referred to as Nam Jim Jaew in Thailand, is a tangy, spicy, sweet Thai dipping sauce crafted from chili, lime juice, fish sauce, and fresh herbs. It is typically paired with grilled meats like beef and pork.
The sauce masterfully combines bitter, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Palm sugar is used to mellow the dish, and Thai people, who have a penchant for spicy food, use more chili than black pepper.
When Thais prepare the Crying Tiger Beef recipe, they use sirloin and sometimes brisket. Toasted rice adds a nutty note and some texture to the dipping sauce. The meat should be served with sliced cucumbers, green salad, and/or steamed white rice.
How To Make Crying Tiger Sauce
Crying Tiger Sauce is a delicious recipe that is made with a combination of herbs, peppers, garlic, onions and spices. The reason why this sauce is so appealing is because it’s a very tasty flavor combination. With this recipe, there are a few different ways in which one can prepare this sauce. You can use a food processor to grind the ingredients in a large bowl, or you can in a blender. This is an easy recipe that’s not only healthy but tastes amazing too! Let us know what you think by commenting below!
Ingredients
- Bird chile (dried), 1
- Fish sauce, 1/4 cup
- Fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup
- Palm sugar, 3 tablespoons
- Dried chili pequin (crushed), 2
- Green onions (finely sliced), 1 tablespoon
- Cilantro stems (finely chopped), 2 teaspoons
- Toasted rice powder, 1 teaspoon
Instructions
Step 1
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
Step 2
Toast a little rice on medium-low heat in a dry skillet, stirring often.
Step 3
If it gets too hot, move it off heat and shake it until it cools, then put it back on heat. Let it cool. To finely grind, use a mortar and pestle, spice grinder, or food processor.
Step 4
If desired, add to a Ziploc and crush. You can store excess in a tightly sealed container for weeks.
Crying Tiger Sauce Recipe
Type: Appetizer
Cuisine: Thailand
Recipe Yield: 18 Servings
Preparation Time: 20M
Cooking Time: 10M
Total Time: 30M
Also Read: Sour Cream Chip Dip Recipe
Also Try: Bulgogi Sacue from Hello Fresh
Crying Tiger Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Bird chile dried
- 1/4 cup Fish sauce
- 1/4 cup Fresh lime juice
- 3 tbsp Palm sugar
- 2 Dried chili pequin crushed
- 1 tbsp Green onions finely sliced
- 2 tsp Cilantro stems finely chopped
- 1 tsp Toasted rice powder
Instructions
Step 1
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
Step 2
- Toast a little rice on medium-low heat in a dry skillet, stirring often.
Step 3
- If it gets too hot, move it off heat and shake it until it cools, then put it back on heat. Let it cool. To finely grind, use a mortar and pestle, spice grinder, or food processor.
Step 4
- If desired, add to a Ziploc and crush. You can store excess in a tightly sealed container for weeks.