With Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres Handbook, Stewart, along with Martha Stewart Living food editor Susan Spungen and photographer Dana Gallagher, has created not just a handbook but a dream book. The first 225 pages consist entirely of beautifully photographed, exquisite nibbles, tastes, and bites--and the following 270 pages give you the recipes and instructions to re-create them at home.
Thin this sauce with warm water if it is too thick to lightly coat the Jicama and Green Papaya Summer Rolls.
Makes 1 cup
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 small onion, finely chopped to yield 1/2 cup
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons chili paste
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup coarsely chopped roasted unsalted peanuts
1/4 cup boiling water
Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chili paste, curry powder, and salt. Stir to combine. Stir in the peanut butter, coconut milk, vinegar, brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of warm water. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens and the peanut butter dissolves.
Add 2 tablespoons of the peanuts to the sauce and then transfer it to a blender. Blend until smooth, adding 2 to 4 tablespoons of boiling water to help the sauce emulsify. Transfer it to a bowl. Let cool to room temperature. Before serving, garnish with the remaining peanuts. The sauce may be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. (Press plastic wrap directly on top of the sauce to prevent a skin from forming.)
Bring the sauce back to room temperature for 1 hour before serving.
