Spicy, fragrant, and filled with complex flavors thanks to a mixture of aromatic spices, Korean cuisine prides itself on not just its spectacular dishes but also the accompanying variety of sauces and condiments. One of the classic staples in this regard is the Korean Ssamjang. While doenjang and gochujang give the paste its characteristic heat and texture, ingredients like garlic, onion, green onion, sugar, and sesame oil bring the flavor together and make it one of the most fragrant and delicious dipping sauces in all of Korean cuisine. It can be used as a condiment on the side with your delicious barbecued or grilled meats, in stir fries, stir fry sauce and other Korean food, or you can use it as a dipping sauce for anything that you like, including freshly cut vegetables. It’s great with lettuce wraps.
Mix together 1/4th of a cup of doenjang and 2 tablespoons of gochujang. Place this paste mixture in a food blender along with 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, half tablespoon of honey, thinly sliced onions, and some minced garlic and whole sesame seeds. If you want a nuttier flavor in your sauce, add your selection of nuts and seeds such as walnuts. Blend the mixture for a minute or two and then serve it in a bowl. You can garnish the sauce with chilies or sesame seeds depending on what you are serving it with.
