Thai Style Green Chili Sauce

"In our search for new and exciting products, our buyers draw inspiration from flavors and foodways all over the globe, and one culinary tradition that never fails to inspire is Thai cuisine. In the case of Trader Joe's Thai Style Green Chili Sauce, we were inspired by one northern Thai dish in particular: nam prik noom. This relishlike sauce is typically made from a mix of ingredients including fresh chilis, garlic, shallots, and lime juice, all pounded together in a mortar. Our version adds some additional aromatic elements in the form of lemon grass and Thai lime leaves to create a delightfully complex condiment which doubles as a zesty, delicious dip. At a Thai restaurant, nam prik noom would traditionally be served alongside the main course, to be enjoyed atop fresh veggies, or as a spicy dip with pork cracklings. Both excellent applications, but we'd add that our Green Chili Sauce also tastes wonderful over a warm bowl of rice, mixed in with noodles, spooned over dumplings, or just casually dipped with chips. It's just spicy enough to provide a joyful, but not overpowering, kick of heat, while its savory and tart elements make it a great sauce (or even a marinade) for milder proteins like chicken and fish."