Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is traditionally made from red rice brewed with soybean paste, garlic, sugar, star anise, chili paste and other spices. It ranges in color from reddish brown to mahogany. It is an excellent marinade, glaze and dipping sauce. It has a very strong taste that can overpower other ingredients, however, so it should be added a little at a time until the desired flavor and heat is reached. Hoisin sauce is widely available at grocery stores and Asian markets. You can also make it from scratch; see the recipe.