Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

(good for dipping or to pour over noodles and veggies.)

INGREDIENTS
1 cup water
1 cup rice vinegar
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons fresh ginger root, minced
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
2 teaspoons hot chile pepper, minced
2 teaspoons ketchup
2 teaspoons cornstarch

DIRECTIONS
Pour water and vinegar into a saucepan, and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in sugar, ginger, garlic, chile pepper, and ketchup; simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in cornstarch. Remove saucepan from stove to cool. Then transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until needed.

"Cheater" Mole

INGREDIENTS
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried cilantro
1/8 tablespoon dried minced garlic
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers

DIRECTIONS
Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, and cook the onion until tender. Mix in cocoa powder, cumin, cilantro, and garlic. Stir in the tomato soup and green chile peppers. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Transfer to a gravy boat or pour directly over food to serve.