Oyster sauce is a type of sauce mostly used in Chinese cooking. This sauce is derived from oyster meat and has a rich flavor and dense texture. This sauce is brown in color and can be made at home and even bought from outside. The sauce is used to add to the taste of various Chinese recipes.
History and Origin of Oyster Sauce
Oyster sauce belongs to China.This sauce made from boiling oysters was first made by the Lee Kum Kee Company in the year 1888. This sauce was invented by the founder of the company, Lee Kam Sheyung, belonging to Guangdong province of China. Lee had a small eating joint and once while cooking oysters he forgot to take care of time and kept cooking until he smelt a rich aroma of oysters. He found that cooking for too long has turned the oysters into a thick brown sauce. The sauce was liked by his customers and gradually became popular.
Method of Preparation and Ingredients Used in Oyster Sauce Recipes
For the oyster sauce recipes, the ingredients used are oysters, water, salt, soy sauce. The oysters are minced and are boiled in a pan by adding water and juices from oysters. The contents of the pan are heated and salt is added. The mixture is kept aside to cool and soy sauce is added. The oyster sauce can be used for a month.
The modern day oyster sauce recipes make use of various other ingredients such as garlic, ginger, onions and sugar. Corn starch is also added in many oyster sauce recipes.
The oyster sauce recipes which are used for commercial purposes make use of MSG and many other adulterates.
Culinary Use of Oyster Sauce
Oyster sauce is basically used as a seasoning and enhances the flavors of the dish. It is commonly used in preparation of stir fry, fried rice and noodles. This brown thick sauce is combined well with sesame oil, chili flakes and sugar to make an interesting dip for wontons, dumplings, shrimps and many other finger foods. Besides, this sauce is also used for making marinades. Oyster sauce is also used as a topping for many food items. Some of the dishes which can be topped with this sauce are Kai- lan, Cashew Chicken, Daikon cake and Wonton Noodles.
Nutritional Value Of Oyster Sauce
This thick sauce made from oysters does not contain any cholesterol and fat. The sauce also lacks the dietary fiber. The sodium content varies and depends on the brand of this sauce. There is a very less content of copper and iron in the sauce. Usually this sauce is eaten for taste and not to derive any nutrition.
Variations In Oyster Sauce
A vegetarian version of this sauce is made with mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms are used to make this sauce. These vegetarian sauces contain a lot of taste enhancers to make the sauce creamy and flavored.