Tuesday's Cupful: Hoisin Sauce

Just one flavorful accent from the Chinese
This sauce is a sweet cousin of soy sauce and black bean paste. Hoisin sauce (aka Peking sauce or Peking duck sauce) is mainly made from fermented soybean, vinegar, garlic and chili pepper. A sweetener, such as honey or molasses, is also added. Some variations contain sweet potato. Look for a thick consistency and dark color. The flavor can be appealing or disagreeable when someone tries it for the first time. It has a very salty and mildly sweet taste. Use hoisin sauce frugally since it does possess a pungent flavor and aroma. This Asian sauce can be found in the international foods aisle of major supermarkets. Also, check Asian food marts for hoisin sauce. The Mixed Stew suggest adding a little bit of water to any amount of hoisin before flavoring stir-fries, marinades, or barbecue sauces with this tasty sauce.