Which was a good thing, because the Oven-Baked Bang Bang Chicken Wings were already in the oven! That’s how we roll.

If we don’t have an ingredient or element of a recipe my first thought is always “how do you make that from scratch?”

In this case, a key ingredient in Bang Bang Sauce is Thai Sweet Chili Sauce.

There’s an addictive quality to sweet and spicy foods. And salty sweet too. Our tastebuds clearly enjoy getting a workout.

Here’s how the Easy Homemade Thai Sweet Chili Sauce came together!

To begin, bring water and rice wine vinegar to a boil. Then add sugar, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and ketchup and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add in cornstarch and whisk until well combined. Return mixture to a boil over medium heat and allow to cook down for an additional 7-10 minutes.

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce has the right balance of acid, sweet and heat. It’s a wonderful dipping sauce (good-bye Duck Sauce) and pairs perfectly as a glaze with baked salmon, stir-fried shrimp, or fried chicken!

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Easy Homemade Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce has the right balance of acid, sweet and heat. It’s a wonderful dipping sauce (good-bye Duck Sauce) and pairs perfectly as a glaze with baked salmon, stir-fried shrimp, or fried chicken!

Course Sauce

Cuisine Asian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup rice vinegar
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 Tablespoon fresh grated ginger or 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 2 minced garlic cloves or 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 Tablespoon ketchup
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon natural red food coloring optional

Instructions

• Bring water and rice vinegar to a boil. Whisk in sugar, ginger, garlic, ketchup, red pepper flakes and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes then remove from heat. Whisk in cornstarch, then return to a boil and cook down for 7-10 minutes until reduced by almost half. Store in a jar in refrigerator for up to a week.

The post Easy Homemade Thai Sweet Chili Sauce appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

I’m certain every “authentic” Remoulade Sauce is slightly different.

Mayonnaise is the primary ingredient in this flavorful kicked up condiment. It’s believed that remoulade sauce originated in France and is derived from the word ramolas which means horseradish. One of the key flavor components in this mayonnaise based sauce.

My husband is from New Orleans and he’s certain this Louisiana version pairs perfectly with his favorite Shrimp Po’ Boys.

There is also a French version of remoulade which is very similar but often includes anchovy paste in place of creole mustard.

Comeback Sauce is also a kind of mayonnaise based remoulade but typically includes ketchup in place of hot sauce.

Since we’re talking about sauces – check out these Homemade Fry Sauce recipes. There’s nothing like dunking crispy oven fries into a trio of sauces!

We made this sauce to go with our Crab Cake Balls. Trust me you’ll want to dunk these delightful nuggets into this punchy sauce! We also serve remoulade sauce with our Classic Crab Cakes and Fried Shrimp Po’Boys.

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Homemade Remoulade Sauce

This slightly spicy, super creamy Remoulade Sauce is the perfect pairing for crab cakes, fried fish or shrimp, po' boys, or even fried pickles

Course Sauce

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 Tablespoon dill relish
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cajun seasoning

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Chill.

The post Homemade Remoulade Sauce appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

We ran out of our favorite bottled BBQ sauce about the time I developed an insatiable craving for BBQ Chicken Pizza.  Sadly it’s not available locally so this time I turned the tables and challenged myself to come up with a Homemade BBQ Sauce that was equally as good as our favorite.

I came up with a winner.

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Homemade BBQ Sauce

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups ketchup
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 Tbl. Frank’s hot sauce
• 1 Tbl. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbl. dry mustard
• 2 tsp. smoked paprika
• 2 tsp. ground coriander
• 2 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. salt or to taste

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a non-reactive pan and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Cool completely. Store in a covered jar in refrigerator.

The post Homemade BBQ Sauce appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

I’ve been playing around lately with new ideas for dips.  We took a Crab Rangoon and turned it inside out, creating a creamy crab dip with Wonton Chips on the side.  This Hot Reuben Dip is made with that kind of twist in mind.  Take the yummy ingredients that make The Classic Reuben Sandwich so popular and serve it with Jewish rye Party bread.  One more easy crowd pleasing recipe to add to your next finger food spread.

One pound of deli sliced corned beef (then diced), 8 ounces shredded Swiss cheese, one 16-ounce pouch of sauerkraut (or 14-ounce can) well drained, 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1 Tbl. horseradish, 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, salt & pepper.  That’s it.  Mix it all up, pour it into a casserole dish and bake it at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Set this Hot Reuben Dip out with an assortment of cold beverages and you’ve got yourself a room full of happy.

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Hot Reuben Dip

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 10

Ingredients

• 1 pound deli-sliced corned beef cubed
• 1 8- ounce block Swiss cheese shredded
• 1 16- ounce pouch or 14-ounce can sauerkraut drained well
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 Tbl. prepared Horseradish
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• salt to taste

To serve…

• 1 sleeve Jewish rye party bread.

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. Pour into a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish and bake for 20 minutes.
• Serve with Jewish rye party bread.

The post Hot Reuben Dip appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Homemade Russian Dressing is so simple to make from ingredients typically on hand.

~ Homemade Russian Dressing ~

½ cup mayonnaise

2 Tbl. Ketchup

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. prepared horseradish

Freshly cracked pepper

Pinch of cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients.  Refrigerate any unused dressing.

The post Homemade Russian Dressing appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

That bucket of perfectly Crispy Baked Potato Wedges deserved an equally perfect dunking sauce. 

But which one should I make?

Classic Fry Sauce

The “Classic” ketchup & mayo based sauce is what I grew up on.  Likely born out of a modestly stocked refrigerator and a creative mother, Classic Fry Sauce, made all things better. 

We put that stuff on everything.  Yes we dipped our fries in it, but it also doubled as a sandwich spread, salad dressing (no wedge was served without it), veggie dip, burger topping, grilled cheese dunking dip, you name it.   

As an adult I still love Classic Fry Sauce, but now we give it a little grown up love with the addition of Frank’s RedHot Sauce.

Hickory Red BBQ Fry Sauce

Now in our house, when we’re craving Fry Sauce, we most often turn to a BBQ Sauce & Mayo combination. 

For our second of three sauces I give your our Hickory Red BBQ Fry Sauce. 

This sauce is sweet & smoky and always served on our favorite BBQ Turkey Burgers.  The crispy pub fries sure were happy to be introduced as well.

White BBQ Sauce

It wasn’t until a few years ago, that I discovered White BBQ Sauce, and it continues to be such a treat. 

A few more ingredients than the previous two Fry Sauces, but worth the extra few minutes it takes to come together. 

This sauce is amazing on Pulled Pork. 

Wait, this sauce is amazing on everything.  It delivers complexity with the same level of creamy comfort sitting to it’s left and right.

This tray of saucy goodness was the perfect Game Day treat. 

I don’t think I’ve told you but I was introduced to Fantasy Football this year (the free kind) and we are hooked.  I built our virtual team from players across the NFL.  It’s made Sunday’s so much fun now that we have players in almost every match up. 

At the close of Week #6 I’m pleased to say I’m 5-1-0. 

Not too shabby for a rookie.

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Homemade Fry Sauce {Three Ways}

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For the Classic…

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1-2 Tbl. Franks RedHot Sauce or to taste

For the Red BBQ…

• 1/2 cup Hickory BBQ Sauce we like KC Masterpiece
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

For the White BBQ…

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/8 cup cream
• 1 1/2 tsp. prepared horseradish
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 1/2 tsp. creole mustard
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. sugar

Instructions

• For each fry sauce, combine ingredients, then refrigerate until ready to use.

The post Homemade Fry Sauce {Three Ways} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

No visit to a Japanese Steak House should begin without a Ginger Dressing salad, cocktails aside.  Tell me I’m not alone on this one?

Now that we’ve recreated our favorite Ginger Dressing, all I have to master is the Volcano Roll and Special Spicy Tuna Roll.  Not sure sushi rolls will be as easy to make as this delicious dressing recipe.

Recipe Note:  Ginger Dressing is most always served on a simple bed of iceberg lettuce with tomato and thinly sliced red onion.  The salad allows the dressing to be the star.

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Ginger Dressing

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup sesame oil
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup sweet onion finely diced
• 3 Tbl. fresh ginger grated
• 1 Tbl. honey
• 1 Tbl. soy sauce
• 1 Tbl. lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth. Store in a covered jar in refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Notes

Ginger Dressing is most always served on a simple bed of iceberg lettuce with tomato and thinly sliced red onion. The salad allows the dressing to be the star.

The post Ginger Dressing appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Char Sui is Chinese BBQ Pork.  Don’t let the word BBQ fool you.  This isn’t your typical southern pulled pork BBQ (albeit we love that).  No, the flavors and cooking method for Char Sui is quite different.  And the results…phenomenal.  Juicy, melt-in-your-mouth pork infused with a sweet & sticky marinade.  Let us not pass over what makes Char Sui dreamy good.  Crispy. Pork Fat. Rules!!

Our new pellet smoker has been fired up almost every weekend.  We’ve had some combination of meats/seafood slow roasting in the smoky love tank.  If Boston Butt Pork Roast is on sale, we’re buying it.  Just so happens, we scored an 11 lb. roast.  Mind you we are two people and that’s a lot of pork.  So we decided to divide and conquer.  One pound for me to make Char Siu, a 5 lb. roast for the smoker and a 5 lb. roast for the freezer.

Recipe Note: depending on what kind of pork roast you begin with, you’ll want to cut 3-4 slabs to put into the marinade.  We got three out of our roast that were each about 1-inch thick and maybe 3-inches X 5-inches in overall size.  Once fully cooked, we further cut each slab into 1/2-inch cross-sections.

Ingredient Note: Once we got home with our ginormous pork butt, we weren’t going back to the grocery store.  So when we realized we probably needed Hoisin Sauce and Chinese 5-Spice Powder…we improvised.  Our ingredient list yielded the right balance of sweet and spice.  Feel free to improvise.

You’ll want to serve your Char Sui with white rice or perhaps our Shrimp Fried Farro.

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Char Siu Roast Pork

Prep Time 8 hours hours

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 8 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 1 lb. Boston Butt Pork Roast cut into slabs about 1-inch thick; about 3-inches X 5-inches.

Char Sui Sauce…

• 2 Tbl. soy sauce
• 2 Tbl. maple syrup
• 1 Tbl. ketchup
• 1 Tbl. sriracha sauce
• 1 Tbl. rice wine vinegar
• 1 Tbl. honey
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp. ground clove
• 1/8 tsp. ground star anise

Instructions

• Combine sauce ingredients and pour into a zip top bag. Add pork and marinate overnight in the refrigerator; or for at least 4 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line shallow rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place a wire rack in pan and lay pork slabs on rack. Bake for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pour marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a boil for one minute. Remove pork from oven after 20 minutes; turn over pieces. Baste with char sui sauce. Return to oven for an additional 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and slice each slab into 1/2-inch slices.
• Delicious served with white or fried rice.

The post Char Siu Roast BBQ Pork appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

As I continue with my quest to share all the “Classic” Salads I can think of I’m branching out to dressings as well.  I hadn’t had Catalina Salad Dressing in years until Friday.  I had forgotten how much I love it’s sweet tangy flavor.

Catalina Salad Dressing and the Classic Lunch Counter Style Chef Salad are meant for each other.

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Catalina Salad Dressing

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 3 Tbl. sugar
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• shot of hot sauce
• pinch of salt & pepper
• 1/2 cup canola or other mild oil

Instructions

• Add all ingredients through salt & pepper to a high-speed blender. Process for 1 minute.
• With blender running, slowly pour oil through feed hole and blend for 1 minute or until emulsified.
• Store in an air tight container for up to 3 weeks in refrigerator.

The post Catalina Salad Dressing appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

April was a record sales month at my office.  And we all know what that means.  It’s PARTY TIME.  We decided on a Hot Diggity Dog Party with all the fixins.  I’ve been wanting to share my Hot Dog Chili Recipe and this was the perfect chance.

Hot Dog Chili is quite different from traditional chili…if there is a traditional chili.  The main difference is the texture.  Hot Dog Chili has a fine texture which works oh so nicely as a topping for your favorite hot dog.

Start with finely diced onion, sautéed until tender.  Then add in minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute before adding the ground beef.

The key to achieving the fine texture is adding water while you are browning the meat.  About a 1/2 cup of water per each pound of meat will do the trick.

Once your meat is cooked through and no longer pink, it’s time to season.

Because I was making this batch to serve to 50 people I kept the seasoning pretty tame.  A combination of chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper and a pinch of cayenne.

Next comes a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and tomato sauce.  Simmer the chili for about 20 minutes then adjust seasoning to taste.

I mentioned Hot Dogs and all the fixins.  In addition to hot dogs and hot dog chili we had coleslaw, sauerkraut, baked beans, tossed salad, macaroni & cheese, a giant pot of homemade chili, and an amazing Frito Salad.  As a bonus I’m sharing this super fun and hugely popular recipe that my buddy and co-worker Bethany brought today.

Frito Salad
1 full size bag (10.5 ounce) Fritos
1 green bell pepper, diced
4-5 Roma tomatoes, diced
1 cup shredded cheese
1 can Ranch Style beans (seasoned kidney beans)
1/2 – 1 cup Catalina Dressing

Combine peppers, tomatoes, beans, cheese and about 1/2 cup dressing.  Right before serving toss with Fritos.  Add additional dressing if needed.

All my best,
xo Libby

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Hot Dog Chili

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1 small onion finely diced
• 2-3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 Tbl. chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• pinch cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 2-3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• Serve with hot dog buns hot dogs, diced onion & shredded cheddar

Instructions

• In a Dutch oven over medium heat, sauté diced onion in oil until tender. Add in garlic and sauté an additional minute then add the ground beef and water.
• Use a wooden spoon to stir the meat, breaking it into small pieces. Continue cooking; stirring frequently until meat is cooked through and no longer pink.
• Add in seasonings, ketchup, tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 20 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste.

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