2 Tbls. vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
6 fresh red chiles, such as jalapenos, seeds and stems
removed, finely chopped
1/4 cup Chinese red rice vinegar
1 Tbls. sugar
2 Tbls. tomato ketchup
2 Tbls. Chinese rice wine
2 tsp. salt
Water as needed
Recipe
Heat the oil in a wok or frying pan, add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add the onion and stir-fry for another minute. Add the chiles and the vinegar and simmer for 10 minutes, adding water if it gets too dry. Add the remaining ingredients except the water and simmer for 5 more minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
Transfer the mixture to a food processor or blender and process to a fine puree, adding water as necessary to achieve the desired consistency.