Vietnamese Chile Lemongrass Sate Sauce (Tương Ớt Sa Tế)

Ingredients

• 1 cup neutral oil like canola
  
• 1 head garlic, minced
  
• ½ cup lemongrass, finely chopped
  
• ½ cup fresh red chiles, finely chopped Thai or Birds Eye recommended
  
• ¼ cup chile flakes
  
• ½ teaspoon salt
  

Instructions

• Heat 1 cup oil on medium low heat
  
• When oil comes to temperature, add lemongrass and let it heat for about 5 minutes
  
• Add garlic and continue to heat for about 10 minutes
  
• Add fresh chiles and stir. Continue to let mixture heat for another 10 minutes, being careful not to burn the ingredients.
  
• Add chile flakes and heat for another 10 minutes
  
• Add salt to taste, and cool before jarring
  
• Add a thin layer of extra oil on top to keep sate fresh longer.