Hoisin Sauce

A thick, soy-based sauce made from soybean flour, red beans, chili, sugar, salt, garlic, and spices, hoisin sauce has a dark, brownish-red color and a slightly sweet, hot flavor. It is used as a seasoning in many preparations (see, for example, Twice-Cooked Pork), for marinating pork (see Barbecued Pork Strips), and as an important dip for Peking Duck and Mu Shu Pork. It is sold in cans and should be transferred to jars once opened. Kept refrigerated, it should last indefinitely.