Garlic dipping sauces can be classified by their base, such as oil, cream, vinegar, or cheese. Garlic can be infused by heating or grating, and should be allowed to sit for a while. Recipes include olive oil and garlic, sour cream and onion, Asian vinegar and soy, and cheese with diced veggies.
The different types of garlic dipping sauces can generally be classified by the base used to contain the garlic. One of the most popular is an oil base that allows the garlic flavor to penetrate very strongly. A creamy garlic sauce has sour cream or heavy cream as a base, often combined with ingredients such as onion. In Asian cuisine, a vinegar-based garlic sauce is often used, combined with soy sauce or sesame oil. A very different flavor can be achieved with a cheese-based garlic sauce, especially if the cheese is kept warm in a fondue pot.
There are a few ways to infuse the garlic flavor into a garlic sauce. It can be gently heated with some ingredients so that the flavor is slowly absorbed. The garlic can also be grated directly into a dip, in which the garlic flakes and juice will provide a sharp, pungent taste. When garlic is roasted in an oven, the flavor fades and builds, the sugars caramelize, and the cloves become so soft they can easily be mashed into a paste. In almost all preparations, the garlic should be allowed to sit in the sauce for a while to allow the strong flavor to distribute throughout the base.
An olive oil-based garlic sauce can be made by slowly heating olive oil in a pan and then adding sliced garlic. The garlic and oil are allowed to cook together until the flavors combine and the garlic becomes fragrant. Other ingredients, such as red pepper flakes, salt, sage, or Parmesan cheese, may be added to the dipping sauce. A heavier version of the sauce can be made using butter instead of olive oil or a combination of both. Breads, vegetables, and seafood like lobster go well with this type of dipping sauce.
A more familiar base for a dipping sauce is sour cream. Raw garlic and onions can be added to sour cream to make a dip that’s good for crackers, veggies, or chips. Diced green onions can also be used in the sauce. Other creamy bases include buttermilk or a heavy cream that is slowly sautéed with garlic and then sometimes thickened with butter or mayonnaise or accented with a little grated nutmeg.
A classic Asian garlic dipping sauce can be made with rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, a healthy amount of minced garlic, and a little ginger. This dark sauce has a strong flavor and can be used as a sauce for kebabs, dumplings or heavy foods. A hotter version can be made with vinegar, garlic, and hot Thai chilies. The sharpness of the vinegar can be reduced by cooking the sauce briefly.
Finally, the cheese can be used as a base for a garlic sauce. This can be done with a processed cheese like Swiss that is slowly heated along with garlic, or it can be done with a processed cheese that comes in liquid form. Diced vegetables such as tomatoes or peppers can be mixed into the dipping sauce to provide a lighter texture and flavor.
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