Sauce Fanatic
2 cups thinly sliced shallots ¾ cup thinly sliced garlic 3 pieces whole star anise 2 black cardamom pods 2 ½ cups vegetable oil, or any other neutral oil 1 cup crushed red pepper flakes 2 inch piece fresh ginger, finely minced or grated 2 tablespoons white sugar 2 teaspoons salt ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
In a medium heatproof bowl, add the red pepper flakes, ginger, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
Add the shallots, garlic, star anise, cardamom, and oil to a medium sauce pan and heat over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until the garlic and shallots are lightly brown and crisp, about 15-20 minutes.
Set a fine mesh sieve over the bowl and strain the oil into the bowl with the red pepper mixture.
Allow the garlic and shallot to cool in the sieve then add them to the chili mixture. Discard the star anise and cardamom pods.
Enjoy!