The world recognizes Thai food for its balanced, tempered flavors and distinctive ingredients. One of the flavours some of us are wary of is imbued by the legendary condiment we know as Thai Fish Sauce. The perception that most people have of this ingredient is of a strong fishy odour and salty taste. This is one of the main reasons why many people are quite unwilling to experiment with it. We at Chenab Gourmet are Thai Fish Sauce fans. Today, we delve into the art of using Thai Fish Sauce in Asian cooking.
What is fish sauce?
Fish sauce finds extensive use in Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Chinese, and Malay cuisines. They prepare it by salt-packing high-oil fish such as mackerel and anchovies. Over time, the salt ferments the fish until it produces a salty, savoury liquid that’s black or brown.
How is fish sauce used?
Blue Elephant Thai Fish Sauce, like other Thai Fish Sauces, typically enhances the umami or complexity of simpler dishes. Umami, one of the five primary food flavors, embodies deliciousness and is often described as a savory, meaty depth that enriches taste. Thai Fish Sauce serves as a foundation in vinaigrettes, salad dressings, Thai curries, sauces, and even acts as the umami component in meat marinades.
How to Best Use Thai Fish Sauce in Asian Cooking?
The very first thing to understand when considering Fish Sauce is to overcome the mental block that we have due to its perceived fishy smell and taste. Not all fish sauces are created alike. Take for example the Blue Elephant Thai Fish Sauce. Unlike many of its contemporaries, this particular Thai fish sauce has a mellow, milder fish taste and is packed with umami goodness. This makes it perfect for everyday use in salad dressings, meat marinades and even Italian recipes, like marinara where originally umami comes from the anchovy component of the sauce. So here are four simple ways to use Blue Elephant Thai Fish Sauce in your Asian cooking.
1. As a flavour enhancer in Asian vinaigrettes
Enhance your Asian salad dressings with Blue Elephant Thai Fish Sauce. Simply blend it with lemon juice, oil, vinegar, and light soy sauce for a flavorful dressing that adds complexity to your salads!
2. Lift up your marinade game
Another interesting way to make Blue Elephant Thai Fish Sauce a staple in your pantry is to use it in meat marinades. This is especially true when doing Asian barbeque. Add it as an umami enhancer for your meat marinades. When combined with other Asian sauces such as light and dark soy, Sriracha and Asian herbs and spices like cilantro, garlic, birds eye chillies and others it really helps uplift your Asian marinades to the next level.
3. The secret ingredient in your Sushi (and other) Asian dipping sauces
Everyone knows that Sushi isn’t complete without light soy and wasabi dips.Did you know Blue Elephant Thai Fish Sauce’s umami can elevate common dishes? It pairs perfectly with Sriracha, Sweet Chilli, Sweet Onion, and Asian Mustard Sauces, expanding your culinary horizons.
4. Add umami to your fried rice recipe
Fried rice is simple and addictive comfort food. It helps recycle day-old rice and is a real lifesaver when confronted with last-minute guests. Boost your fried rice with Blue Elephant Thai Fish Sauce for a tantalizing umami surprise!
Fish Sauce and especially Blue Elephant Thai Fish Sauce is a wonderful condiment to have in your kitchen. Its original mild, mellow, and umami-rich flavour is just the thing to raise your cooking to another level. As always we at Chenab Impex are always striving to source, acquire and bring you the best international ingredients for your cooking adventures.