Homemade Chili Garlic Sauce
I still remember the first time I tried chili garlic sauce. It was years ago at a tiny, family-owned Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood. The sauce sat in a small jar on the table, deep red with visible flecks of garlic and chili. Out of curiosity, I spooned a little onto my dumplings. That first bite? A perfect balance of heat, tang, and umami—the kind that instantly wakes up your taste buds. Since then, chili garlic sauce has become a must-have in my kitchen. I used to rely on the store-bought version (you probably recognize the famous Huy Fong bottle