Spicy & Sweet All-Purpose Cheongyang Pepper Pickled Sauce
Spicy & Sweet All-Purpose Cheongyang Pepper Pickled Sauce
The Ultimate Guide to Making All-Purpose Dipping Sauce: Spicy Cheongyang Pepper Pickles
I recently bought a bag of Cheongyang peppers from the market, and they were incredibly spicy! While they’re too hot to just dip in ssamjang (Korean soybean paste), they’re also too many to add to stews or stir-fries. That’s when I decided to make an all-purpose dipping sauce with these peppers. So, let’s get started on how to make this versatile Cheongyang pepper and soy sauce dipping pickle!
Ingredients- 10-15 Cheongyang peppers (adjust to your preference)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the fresh Cheongyang peppers thoroughly under running water. After washing, pat them completely dry with paper towels or a clean cloth. It’s important to ensure they are dry, as any remaining moisture can dilute the sauce’s flavor later on.
Step 2
Once dry, remove the stems from the Cheongyang peppers. Then, finely chop them into pieces about 1 cm thick. Chopping them too thick will prevent the sauce from absorbing well, while chopping too thin might make them mushy. Finding the right thickness is key.
Step 3
Cheongyang peppers are very spicy, so handling or chopping them with bare hands can cause a stinging sensation on your skin. Be sure to wear disposable gloves or cooking gloves while you work. Your safety comes first!
Step 4
Place the finely chopped Cheongyang peppers into an airtight container. It’s a good idea to leave a little bit of space rather than filling the container completely to the brim.
Step 5
Now, we’ll make the delicious dipping sauce directly in the container with the Cheongyang peppers. This way, you don’t need a separate bowl, which also means less washing up.
Step 6
Here’s the golden ratio for the all-purpose Cheongyang pepper and soy sauce dipping sauce: 2 tablespoons of sugar, 8 tablespoons of soy sauce, 7 tablespoons of vinegar, and 5 tablespoons of water. Add these ingredients in the specified amounts. Stir well with a spoon or whisk until all the sugar is completely dissolved. Feel free to adjust the ratio of sugar, soy sauce, or vinegar slightly to suit your taste.
Step 7
Pour the well-mixed Cheongyang pepper and soy sauce mixture evenly over the peppers in the airtight container. Secure the lid tightly and let it rest in the refrigerator for about one day to mature. As time passes, the spicy flavor of the peppers will meld with the savory sauce, creating an all-purpose dipping sauce that pairs perfectly with any dish.
Step 8
After a day of maturation, it’s time to enjoy the finished all-purpose dipping sauce with various dishes! Try pairing it with foods you enjoy, such as fried dumplings, sundae (Korean blood sausage), or various types of Korean pancakes (jeon). The unique spiciness of the Cheongyang peppers will cut through any richness, and the sweet and savory soy sauce adds a cleaner and richer flavor.
Step 9
Especially with crispy fried dumplings, this sauce alone can be enough for a fantastic beer snack. The salty yet spicy flavor significantly enhances the dumplings’ taste.
Step 10
When you place a little of this Cheongyang pepper soy sauce on chewy sundae, you can enjoy a unique flavor profile, much like a gourmet dish. The spiciness balances any gaminess in the sundae and adds a savory depth.
Step 11
Furthermore, if you generously drizzle it over a vegetable pancake (jeon) made with chives or various vegetables, the savory taste of the pancake combined with the sauce’s freshness creates a wonderful meal or a special appetizer. Making this delicious all-purpose dipping sauce, Cheongyang pepper soy sauce pickle, is truly simple, isn’t it? Give it a try!
