Cambodian Coconut Sauce

Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia with this authentic Cambodian Coconut Sauce, a tantalizing blend of creamy coconut milk, aromatic lemongrass, and zesty kaffir lime leaves. Enhanced with bold accents of galangal, turmeric, and garlic, this velvety sauce strikes the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spiced, thanks to a hint of palm sugar, fish sauce, and optional chili paste for heat. Ready in just 35 minutes, it's a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire, perfect for drizzling over steamed rice, pairing with grilled meats, or serving as a luscious dipping sauce. Elevate your dishes with this rich and aromatic sauce, where tradition meets comfort in every bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 ml Coconut milk
• 1 Lemongrass stalk (trimmed and finely chopped)
• 2 Shallots (finely chopped)
• 3 Garlic cloves (minced)
• 3 Kaffir lime leaves (finely sliced)
• 1 tablespoon Galangal (peeled and grated)
• 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 2 tablespoons Fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon Palm sugar (or brown sugar)
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon Chili paste (optional, for heat)
• 100 ml Water
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro (for garnish, optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, prepare and measure all your ingredients to make cooking easier.

Step 2

Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots, garlic, lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden.

Step 3

Sprinkle in the turmeric powder and stir well to coat the herbs and spices evenly.

Step 4

Pour in the coconut milk and water. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 5

Add the fish sauce, palm sugar, and chili paste (if using). Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved and the ingredients are well blended.

Step 6

Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens and the flavors meld together.

Step 7

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary by adding more fish sauce (for saltiness) or palm sugar (for sweetness).

Step 8

Remove the sauce from the heat and strain through a fine mesh sieve (optional, for a smoother texture).

Step 9

Serve warm over steamed rice, grilled meats, or as a dipping sauce. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(638.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	478.3

Total Fat 27.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2660.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 60.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.0g	0%
Total Sugars 41.9g
Protein 3.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 84.6mg	0%
Iron 3.0mg	0%
Potassium 687.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.8%

Protein: 2.8%

Carbs: 48.4%