Start with unsweetened peanut butter

A sugary sandwich spread is a different foundation from pure peanut butter. Check the ingredients and stir the jar before measuring. Smooth peanut butter gives a smooth sauce; chunky remains intentionally textured. Finely grate fresh ginger so long fibers do not remain in the dip. Begin with limited water because an overly thin sauce will not reliably thicken just by chilling. Coconut milk is unnecessary here and would alter both flavor and storage.

Smooth peanut butter is easiest to whisk evenly. If it is salted, be cautious with additional seasoning. Very cold water can make the mixture harder to combine initially, so add lukewarm water gradually. Make the presence of peanuts clear when serving and do not share its spoon with other dips. Portion with clean utensils and keep the remaining supply refrigerated.

The recipe

Makes about 1¼ cups / 300 ml

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup plus 1 tbsp / 100 g unsweetened peanut butter
  • ½ cup / 120 ml warm water
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp finely grated ginger
  • ½ tsp mild chili flakes

Method

  1. Beat peanut butter with half the warm water until smooth. Stir in soy sauce, lime juice, sugar, ginger and chili.
  2. Add remaining water gradually until the sauce pours while still clinging to a spoon. If the peanut butter is very stiff, set the bowl over warm water and continue stirring rather than boiling hard.
  3. Cool briefly and taste before serving with tofu or fully cooked chicken skewers. Keep any brushing portion separate. The recipe contains peanuts and soy; replacing the main ingredient requires a different recipe, not merely removing a garnish.

Storage

Put leftovers into shallow covered containers and refrigerate within two hours, or one hour when the temperature exceeds 90°F / 32°C. Keep at 40°F / 4°C or colder and use within three days. Store dressing separately when possible, and reheat only the portion you plan to eat.

Use grilling equipment only in its intended location and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Timing is not a substitute for checking doneness.