What is "chile paste"?!

[Lynn B]

I keep seeing "chile paste" in these great-sounding recipes that I want to try. But I don't know what it is or where to find it! I have scoured every grocery store in my area (only 3!) w/o success.

Where should it be (which section of the store)? How is it packaged and what exactly IS it? And if I can't find it, what would be the best substitute? Any assistance is greatly appreciated! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

THANK YOU!
Lynn

[makedah]

Have you checked in the Asian food section or in an Asian grocery store?

[Ralph]

Originally posted by makedah:
Have you checked in the Asian food section or in an Asian grocery store?

I'll second the vote for the Asian section. Some manufacturers DO have a "Chile Paste," but more often I find garlic-chile paste or something the like.

You might also try www.orientalpantry.com (http://www.orientalpantry.com)

[aggie94]

I use chili paste and chili bean sauce (not the same as chili sauce) interchangeably. They're both made from chili peppers, garlic, oil, and some other stuff (salt and sugar). (Ralph - even though the label calls it garlic-chili paste or chili paste with garlic, even regular chili paste has garlic in it). The chili bean sauce also includes broad beans or fava beans, but I really can't tell any difference in flavor between the two. The kind of oil might vary between the two, and the chili bean sauce is a little thicker. But for all intents and purposes, they're the same thing. Look for either of them in the Asian food section of your regular grocery store or an Asian market.

[Lynn B]

Thank you!

Two more questions, please!

Am I looking for a jar? bottle? or tube (like anchovy paste)?

And how does "Hot Chili Sauce w/ Garlic" compare? (It's in a 7 oz glass bottle by KAME)

Thanks again!
Lynn

[aggie94]

Lynn,

You're generally looking for a jarred product. I'm not familiar with KAME, but it sounds similar to the bottled chili sauce that I have in my fridge -- I don't remember the brand name, but it's the popular Vietnamese one with the green plastic lid and the rooster on the bottle. That's not what I use when the recipe calls for chili paste. Chili bean sauce and chili paste are used more for marinades and stir-fry sauces (or cooking sauces), whereas chili sauce is used more as a "side" sauce, like Tabasco or a dipping sauce would be used. For example, I use my chili sauce mixed with soy sauce to make a hot dipping sauce for dim sum or potstickers. Or I just throw it straight into finished ramen or yakisoba noodles. I hope this helps!

In another post, I mentioned that I like the Lee Kum Kee brand - they make a great chili bean sauce (that can be substituted for chili paste). The lid is red and the label is red and yellow. I've bought it at Safeway before, but I usually go to the Asian grocery store to pick it up. Sunluck is another brand that is found pretty readily, but I don't like it as well. Good luck!

[Lynn B]

Aggie,
THANK YOU for the additional information. I don't think our 3 grocery stores have the chili paste. <sigh> (that's the downside to living in a small rural area!) I will put it on my list for the next time I go to "the city"! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Thanks again!
Lynn