Lazy XO Sauce

XO sauce is a Hong Kong invention. Curiously named after XO Cognac, it actually contains no alcohol – rather, its name simply denotes the prestige of its luxury ingredients. Making authentic XO sauce is both expensive and incredibly time-consuming. The dried seafood must be rehydrated overnight, and the ingredients must be chopped by hand for the perfect mouthfeel.

I’ve made this sauce properly at restaurants in the past, but at home I don’t have the patience, and I don’t want to us