Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce

I've searched and searched for the perfect sweet, sour and spicy dipping sauce. I've been buying three different bottled varieties and mixing them together to get the taste I wanted. I've looked at numerous recipes and they are all so different. This is the second recipe I tried and it is PERFECT. I wouldn't change a single thing about this sauce.

After we had this with dinner last night, both of my older boys were grinning like crazy and they informed me it was even better than store bought. The boys have asked me to make lumpia again, just so we can use this sauce on it. I agree, this sauce is most definitely better than anything I've bought from a store. This sauce is fantastic!

Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce
recipe barely adapted from Andrea The Kitchen Witch
Yield: approximately 2 cups

1 cup sugar
3/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons chili paste, I used Sambal Oelek
3 cloves garlic, crushed and left whole
1 carrot, very finely grated, I used a microplane grater for this
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon arrowroot or cornstarch

Combine all ingredients, except the cornstarch, in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Allow it to boil on high heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. While this is boiling, whisk or stir together the cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water.

After 3 minutes, slowly pour the cornstarch mixture into the boiling mixture on the stove. Stir to combine and reduce heat to a low boil. Allow it to boil, stirring frequently, for 2 more minutes. Taste and add more chili paste if desired. Remove and discard the garlic. Serve warm or allow to cool and refrigerate until needed. Sauce can be served hot or cold. Enjoy!

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