Fish Sauce

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients

   • Peel the lime to remove the outer rind, then segment the lime to extract the juicy sacs.
   • Peel the garlic cloves.
   • If you like your sauce spicy, adjust the amount of Thai chilies to taste.

2. Smash the Base

   • Place the lime segments, garlic cloves, and Thai chilies into a mortar.
   • Smash them together until they release their flavors and form a coarse mixture.

3. Sweeten It Up

   • Add the sugar to the mortar and continue to smash until combined.

4. Mix and Strain

   • Transfer the mixture from the mortar into a larger bowl.
   • Pour the water into the mortar to rinse out all the flavorful bits and pour this liquid into the bowl as well.

5. Add the Fish Sauce

   • Stir in the fish sauce. Mix well and taste to adjust the balance.

6. Adjust the Flavor

   • Use this base recipe as a starting point and tweak it to your liking:
     • For more tanginess: Add extra lime juice or segments.
     • For more heat: Add additional Thai chilies.
     • For more sweetness: Stir in more sugar.
     • For more saltiness: Increase the amount of fish sauce.

7. Optional Enhancements

   • Add a handful of chopped cilantro for a fresh herbaceous note.
   • Include finger lime pearls for a unique tangy burst in every bite.