Asian hot, sour, salty, sweet dressing recipe

You can make this without oil if you prefer; just double the rest of the ingredients and add water to taste. Add Thai basil, torn mint or coriander just before you dress the salad. It’s good with raw vegetables – daikon, batons of carrot, tomatoes – and with a salad of duck breast or griddled squid.

Timings

Prep time: 5 minutes

Makes

120ml

Ingredients

• 1½ tbsp caster sugar (you may need more)
• juice of 1 lime 
• 1½ tbsp fish sauce 
• 1 small garlic clove, grated to a purée
• ½ tsp grated ginger root
• 1 red chilli, deseeded and very finely chopped 
• 4 tbsp groundnut oil

Method

1. Using a fork, whisk the caster sugar with the lime juice to help the sugar dissolve. 
2. Add the fish sauce, garlic, ginger and chilli, then whisk in the oil. Taste the dressing for sweet-salty balance, and add more lime or a pinch of sugar if needed.