Name: Lime-Soy-Ginger Sauce
Yield: Makes about 1/2 cup sauce
Ingredients: 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice; 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil; 1 tablespoon thinly shredded fresh ginger; 1 green onion, green part only, minced; 2 teaspoons black sesame seeds, toasted (see note)

This simple sauce goes well with spring rolls as a dipping sauce. Also, it makes a good marinade for seafood. I once served grilled trout marinated in this sauce to a friend who disliked fish—it completely changed his mind!

Note

Sesame seeds can be purchased already toasted, but to toast your own, preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Spread the sesame seeds out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the sesame seeds are crisp and fragrant. Watch them carefully so they don't burn.

Recipe notes

Kimchi Bloody Mary

The kimchi brine is the secret hero here; just a splash of it brightens the cocktail while deepening it with a little funky je ne sais quoi.

XO Sauce

Developed in the 1980s by a chef in Hong Kong, this sauce is all about umami.

Not-So-Secret Burger Sauce

Every sauce needs a few secrets. Ours is smoky, sweet, and savory—use it for burgers, fries, tenders, and more.

Fufu

Fufu is a dish that has been passed down through many generations and is seen as a symbol of Ghanaian identity and heritage. Making fufu traditionally is a very laborious task; this recipe mimics some of that hard work but with a few home-cook hacks that make for a far easier time.

Fish Stock

This flavorful fish stock is your secret weapon for bouillabaisse, shrimp risotto, clam chowder, and more.

Charred Cabbage With Shrimp Paste Butter

A little shrimp paste goes a long, long, long way in this delicious vegetable dish.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Grape Dumplings

Native American people made these with cornmeal dumplings, simmering them with wild grapes, which were harvested at their peak sweetness.