Homemade Unagi Sauce

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   How do you make unagi sauce? For a traditional Japanese unagi sauce, gather soy sauce, honey (liquid is best, but use real honey), ginger root, and olive oil.

2. Step 2:

   

   You'll need ginger juice for the sauce, so make that first — it's very easy. Ginger root is quite juicy and presses out easily once grated on a fine grater. Grate a piece of root and squeeze the juice through a doubled-over piece of cheesecloth, or just put the pulp in a strainer and press with a spoon — the juice flows out readily.

3. Step 3:

   

   In a saucepan, combine the soy sauce, honey, and olive oil and warm it through, but don't boil it. The sweetness comes from the honey, and to keep its beneficial qualities, the sauce shouldn't be boiled, just gently heated.

4. Step 4:

   

   Add the ginger juice and starch. Stir well again and cook gently, without boiling, over low heat until thickened. Use potato starch; if using cornstarch, use twice as much.

5. Step 5:

   

   That's it — your unagi sauce is ready! It's delicious with fried fish or chicken, or simply with raw vegetables. It gives everything an unusual spicy-sweet warmth that makes familiar foods taste new and appealing.