... I like my sauces in jars or, as in the case of the Amoy Straight to Wok range, little sachets.
My favourite of these sachets is Black Bean Stir Fry Sauce.
**Packaging**
The sauce comes in a 100g sachet, costing around 40p, with a very appetising serving suggestion on the front of ... Read review
...in the case of the Amoy Straight to Wok range, little sachets.
My favourite of these sachets is Black Bean Stir Fry Sauce.
**Packaging**
The sauce comes in a 100g sachet, costing around 40p, with a very appetising serving suggestion on the front of a chicken noodle stir-fry. Chinese symbols adorn the packet, along with the words "Made in China" to give it that little extra authenticity.
... ...to serve with this is Amoy Straight to Wok Thread Noodles. These generally come in a pack of 2 x 150g packets of noodles for around 90p. Once the sauce has been added to the stir fry just add the noodles into the wok, mix everything together and cook for another minute - this just heats the noodles through. The ingredients for the noodles are wheatflour, water, vegetable oil, salt, wheat gluten, lactic acid - I couldn't find any nutritional information ... more
I have a friend who makes her own Sweet & Sour sauce - she says it's very easy - just vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and other bits and pieces. It all sounds too much like "cooking" to me and certainly far to complicated for me to ever consider. I like my sauces in jars or, as in the case of the Amoy Straight to Wok range, little sachets.
My favourite of these sachets is Black Bean Stir Fry Sauce.
**Packaging**
The sauce comes in a 100g sachet, costing around 40p, with a very appetising serving suggestion on the front of a chicken noodle stir-fry. Chinese symbols adorn the packet, along with the words "Made in China" to give it that little extra authenticity.
The packet describes the contents as being "A rich, dark master sauce, used in practically all regional Chinese cooking. The blend of black beans, onions and a touch of garlic makes it ideal for stir-fries with meat, seafood and vegetables."
Nutritionally per 100g there are 138.7 calories, 2.0g of protein, 32g of carbohydrate and 0.3g of fat. The packet also states that no MSG has been added.
On opening the packet there is a distinctly salty aroma - like a dark, rich soya sauce. The sauce itself is dark brown and quite thick with little black beans and pieces of onion clearly visible.
**Serving Suggestion**
I usually use this sauce with chicken, although, as the packet suggests, I am sure it will be delicious with just about anything. It has a strong flavour so you wouldn't want to put it with anything else that might compete.
My recipe (such as it is!):-
2 chicken breasts sliced into strips Anything else you find lying around the kitchen you think might taste OK - I sometimes use sliced peppers, spring onions, carrots, bean sprouts etc. 1 sachet of Black Bean Sauce
This should serve 2 people unless you are particularly hungry/greedy!
Brown the chicken breast strips in a wok. Add the veggies and cook for a couple more minutes (depending on how crunchy you like them). Fight your way into the sachet of Black Bean Sauce - use scissors - I nearly took my finger off once trying to get into it with a knife! Add the contents of the sachet to the wok - I also add a couple of tablespoons of cold water at this point too to make the sauce go a bit further! Stir fry it all together for another minute or so and then serve with whatever you fancy - rice, salad, pasta etc.
My favourite thing to serve with this is Amoy Straight to Wok Thread Noodles. These generally come in a pack of 2 x 150g packets of noodles for around 90p. Once the sauce has been added to the stir fry just add the noodles into the wok, mix everything together and cook for another minute - this just heats the noodles through. The ingredients for the noodles are wheatflour, water, vegetable oil, salt, wheat gluten, lactic acid - I couldn't find any nutritional information on the packet.
**Taste**
This sauce tastes quite salty and the flavour of the black beans comes through very well. It has a rich, savoury aroma and really looks and smells very appetising. I like the taste of it but if you don't like your food too salty you might prefer to try Amoy's Sweet & Sour sauce instead which is a lot sweeter and not as salty. I have also seen the noodles available in "medium" if you prefer your noodles a bit thicker.
**Conclusion**
If you want a quick and easy supper that actually looks and tastes as though you have been slaving away in the kitchen for hours then I can certainly recommend this.
