Soy sauce is versatile and can be used in many different ways. It adds an unique, complex, rich flavor to meat, fish, sauces and vegetables due to high levels of natural umami. Use it instead of table salt when cooking.
There are no set in stone rules on how much soy sauce to use, but usually one tablespoon of soy sauce for every tablespoon of oil works well. Add a bit of acid with citrus juice and your choice of fresh herbs or spices such as ginger and garlic.
When cooking with soy sauce, it depends on what the recipe is and how strong you want the flavor of the soy sauce to be in it. For stews or recipes with a lot of liquid, you can add more, but dry dishes will need less. The best method is to add a few drops of quality soy sauce and then adjust the taste accordingly. You can always add more at the end.
Soy sauce in glazes
Soy sauce makes a brilliant glaze for roasted or fried meat, fish and vegetables. It adds shine as well as a deep spicy flavor. Try mixing equal amounts of honey or maple syrup and brush it over roasted meat, then return it back into the oven briefly to caramelize it.
Soy sauce in marinades
Soy sauce is great for marinades, because the salty flavor gets into the food more easily than table salt. Add 3-4 tablespoons along with the rest of the ingredients for the marinade. The ideal ratio of soy to other liquids is 2:1. Be sure to "brush off" any herbs or ingredients, that are stuck to the food before cooking, otherwise they may burn.
Have a look at:
- Top 5 most popular dishes with soy sauce;
- How to make soy sauce;
