XO sauce is a spicy seafood sauce used widely in Chinese cuisine, made primarily from dried shrimp and scallops with chili peppers, that adds a unique flavor and umami to many dishes. Learn all about it and how to make it at home.
– Rehydrate the Dried Seafood. Rinse then add the dried scallops and shrimp to a heatproof bowl. Cover with very hot water and soak. Drain the scallops and shrimp, but reserve some soaking liquid. Finely mince the shrimp and scallops. Set aside.
– Cook the Vegetables. Add shallots, garlic, ginger and chili peppers and cook, stirring often, or until the vegetables crisp up and turn golden brown.
– Finish the XO Sauce. When the consistency of the xo sauce reaches a moderately thick paste, turn off the heat and preserve the sauce in a glass container in the refrigerator.