peanut sauce

I have to give all credit to my husband for attempting this recipe. I didn't know it was so easy, or that we would have all the ingredients, but dang!....this is good! Its amazing over rice, chicken/beef, tofu, noodles, veggies....anything! We doubled the recipe to have some for later. Peanut sauce is typically found in Asian countries (Indonesia, Thailand, China) served over veggies, noodles, or tofu. You can make it spicy, or top with chopped peanuts too. You can thicken it with milk/coconut milk, or stretch with water. Make it to suite your taste-buds. Feel free to tweak this however you see fit!

1/4 cup peanut butter (natural & creamy, no sugar kind)
2 tsp soy sauce
1 T brown sugar (we only added 1 tsp)
1 T fresh lemon or lime juice
1/4 cup coconut milk (lite is fine, if you prefer or substitute water)
1/4 cup water
red chili flake to taste
1 clove crushed garlic

Optional:
sesame oil
curry paste/powder
rice wine vinegar
fish sauce
grated ginger
shallots sauteed til brown in oil

Combine all ingredients with a whisk in a small bowl, adding the water last. Pour into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until sauce begins to bubble and thicken. Experiment with this sauce adding a teaspoon at a time of one the optional additions and tasting as you go. Serve hot or cold. Yum!!