9. Sweet Chili - We often associate sweet chili sauce with Thai cuisine. It makes for a great dip and accompanies many finger foods well such as shrimp, spring rolls, and pot stickers or dumplings. Aside from a dip, it can be used as a glaze, or even in marinades and stir fried dishes. Although Thai sweet chili sauce is globally known, the sauce actually originates from China. A little sweet and a little spicy with a slight tangy flavor to it, sweet chili is made with very simple ingredients. Just mix some red chilis, garlic, rice wine vinegar, fish sauce, and honey or sugar for the sweetness. There are other variations that include ginger, soy sauce, onion, and red pepper flakes.
10. Marinara - The word marinara translates into ‘seafaring’ but is more so associated with the colloquial terms ‘sailor style’ or ‘mariner style’. Apparently this tomato based sauce used to be a seafood sauce and was enjoyed by Italy’s seafarers during long travels out at sea. It is made with tomatoes, herbs, garlic, and onions. Other variations may include ingredients such as olives, capers, spices, and wine. You can use it as a dip for seafood or even mozzarella sticks and the like, or you can pour it over some pasta, meatballs, chicken parm, or even use it as the base sauce of your pizza.
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