China Live House XO Sauce with Cognac

Name: China Live House XO Sauce with Cognac
Brand: China Live
SKU: MSCLXO6OZ
Price: 20.96 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

30% OFF - You Save $8.99

We found it: the best XO sauce on the market. An intensely savory condiment of chilies, dried seafood and cured ham that originated in Hong Kong, XO sauce is a rich umami bomb. This game-changing sauce from Chef George Chen adds flavor, umami, texture and heat when used as an ingredient in a dish or as a condiment. Every spoonful of China Live’s XO sauce contains a surprising mix of textures and flavors; jammy or crispy-chewy bits of dried seafood, meat or alliums are suspended in a silky sauce that never feels oily, unlike mass-produced versions. XO sauce gets its name from “extra old” cognac, a drink that was fashionable in 1980s Hong Kong when the sauce was first made—even though it’s not typically an ingredient. But Chen and his mixologist added cognac for a final touch of silkiness and flavor, like using a brandy glaze to finish a steak. This XO sauce is more complex than spicy, with moderate heat from “facing heaven” chili peppers. And the sauce has a subtle, earthy sweetness and a light brininess.

Ingredients

Ingredients: Rice Bran Oil, Chinese Ham, Shallots, Garlic, Dried Shrimp, Dried Scallop, Fried Garlic, Salted Cod, Facing Heaven Chili Pepper, Paprika, Cognac
Allergens: Shellfish
Specifications

Net Weight: 6 ounces
Place of Origin: California, USA
How to use

"XO” is slang for “luxurious” in Hong Kong.

The sauce, a dim sum staple, is rumored to have been concocted in the 1980s at the exclusive Peninsula Hotel in Kowloon, a northern part of modern Hong Kong. It was named after the trendiest drink at the time, XO, or “extra old,” cognac, even though the sauce typically doesn’t contain the liquor. Expensive and time-consuming to make, the recipe features an intricate series of steps designed to coax flavor out of specialty ingredients. Many chefs and home cooks agree that well-made, high-quality sauce is worth a steep price for the depth and umami it can lend to dishes.

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HOW TO USE

A little bit goes a long way with this powerful sauce. XO sauce works well mixed into most noodles dishes; we like it on top of our Scallion Noodles. Try it drizzled on top of or stir-fried into fried rice for extra flavor: Kimchi and Bacon Fried Rice and Fried Rice with Edamame and Ham (start with a little and build up as needed). Finish off our Stir-Fried Ginger Green Beans with Tofu (Vegetables) with a spoonful for some umami, or add to any egg dish for a boost of flavor and texture (XO sauce is great with our Cantonese Shrimp with Fluffy Eggs).

Kitchen Notes

China Live, a San-Francisco-based company by Chef George Chen, produces small batches of artisanal Chinese sauces and condiments. China Live combines modern interpretations of ancient Chinese cooking with Bay Area sensibilities: They organically grow or sustainably source traditional ingredients, including Chinese flavoring staples like hawthorn berries and bay leaves.

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