Peanut Dipping Sauce - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon Asian chili sauce (optional)
2 teaspoons peanut oil or 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, adjust to taste

Preparation

Whisk peanut butter, hoisin sauce, water, tomato paste, and chili sauce, if using, in small bowl.
Heat oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes in small saucepan over medium heat until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
Stir in peanut butter mixture; bring to simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until flavors blend, about 3 minutes. (Sauce should have ketchup-like consistency. To thin, add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until proper consistency is reached.).
Transfer to bowl; cool to room temperature.
The sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Serve at room temperature.