Peanut Dipping Sauce — 1

cup crunchy peanut butter

1½ cups coconut milk

¼ cup lemon juice

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon grated gingerroot

4 cloves garlic, pressed

3–4 dashes (or to taste) Tabasco

¼ cup chicken or vegetable stock

¼ cup heavy cream

1. Combine the peanut butter, coconut milk, lemon juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and Tabasco in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce has the consistency of heavy cream, about 15 minutes.
2. Transfer the mixture to a blender and purée briefly.
3. Add the stock and cream, and blend until smooth.

Allergy Alert

There are a fair number of people who are allergic to peanuts. Before inviting guests over for a Thai dinner, you should ask — just in case.