Nam Jim Jaew – a Thai Dipping Sauce

• 1 1/2 tsp Thai tamarind paste (optional)
• 2 T fish sauce
• 2 T  lime juice 
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 1/2 T finely minced  green onion 
• 2 T minced shallots
• 1 T toasted rice powder (optional but traditional)
• 1/2 – 2 tsp red Birds Eye chili or Thai chili , deseeded, and finely minced (optional); dried red chili flakes will work too

Combine all ingredients and stir to dissolve the sugar.

This dipping sauce is best used within a few hours of making it – but it can be refrigerated for several days.