Spicy Joint's Creamy Sesame Sauce with Lettuce Salad

1. Chinese Sesame Paste or Sauce – Sold in Asian stores, it has a consistency like honey and tastes like tahini (ie used in Hummus). However the seeds are roasted so it has a smoky, more intense flavour and slightly darker colour. Sub 2.5 tbsp tahini.

2. Peanut butter – Natural is best (ie no added sugar or salt) for most intense peanut butter flavour. But it’s a background flavour here, so even normal spread is fine.

3. Oyster sauce – adds savoury depth of flavour, can sub with vegetarian Oyster Sauce.

4. Dark soy sauce – more intense colour than light soy or all purpose soy, makes the sauce colour darker plus adds flavour. Sub other soy sauce (but note sauce colour won’t be as dark). More on different soy sauces here.

5. Lettuce – Of course, the real deal is best if you can find the traditional youmaicai / celtuce.Otherwise substitute any crunchy, juicy lettuces like baby cos/Romaine (as I’ve used), full size cos, or iceberg lettuce.

6. Storage – This sauce will keep for weeks – possibly months – in the fridge, given there are no fresh ingredients. Bring to room temperature before using, as it will firm up when cold.

7. Nutrition – Calculated on assumption that you only use half the dressing as directed.