Easy peanut sauce with chicken skewers

The boy is a big fan of chicken satay and has been wanting to try a peanut sauce at home. He found this easy recipe on about.com and it 's a winner.

Peanut Sauce
1 cup fresh-tasting dry roasted peanuts, unsalted
1/3 cup water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. sesame oil
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. fish sauce
1/2 tsp. tamarind paste OR 1/2 Tbsp. lime juice
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, OR 1 tsp. Thai chili sauce (more or less to taste)
1/3 cup coconut milk (unsweetened)

Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processer. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust accordingly: Add more fish sauce if it's not salty enough, or more chili sauce if not spicy enough. If too salty, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice. If you'd prefer it sweeter, add more sugar.

How much easier do you want it?! I didn't adjust the seasoning at all — perfectly peanuty with just a little spice. I used Sriracha for the spice and had a block of tamarind lurking in the vegetable drawer. The consistency was slightly runnier than I expected and I might reduce the water to 1/4 cup next time, though it does thicken as it sits. It would be great on just about anything: beef or chicken, fresh veggies, warm or cold noodles, summer rolls. The boy wants to start putting it on all his sandwiches! We had it last night with chicken skewers using the marinade below.


Ginger Marinade:
1/3 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. rice vinegar
2 Tb honey
2 Tb sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tb ginger root, minced
2 Tb green onion, chopped
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

Combine all until honey is dissolved. Marinade up to 24 hours or apply just before grilling and use to baste.