Nuoc Cham

This Vietnamese dressing is great in all the dishes where you could also use Nam Jim; its taste is softer but equally seductive. Again, like all these sauces, taste for balance and find a flavour that suits your palate.

This dressing, as well as being great as a dipping sauce and in stir-fries, also suits something like a barbecued chicken or fish — slice the meat, add some herbs and pour the dressing over. Serve with rice and boiled greens and you have a great Asian lunch for two o