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So, I snagged a copy of this book

And decided that I wanted to make the Chicken Simmered in Caramel Sauce-- sounds good, right? It promises a "handsome reddish-brown syrup" covering your chicken at the end, as pictured in the bottom left photo on the book jacket. Mmmmm.

I had everything I needed-- chicken tenders from Trader Joe's, ginger root, green onions, garlic, chili flakes... everything but "fish sauce." The author promises this should be easily found in the market in the Asian foods section. Being that I live on the Pacific Rim, I thought it would be a snap. Off to the local overpriced gourmet market-- no dice. To the small corner market that sometimes sneakily has stuff like Italian arborio rice and dry polenta, nope. Then to the Safeway nearest to Chinatown-- NOTHING! Grrrr.

I was beginning to despair of the whole Chicken in Caramel Sauce project, and bought oyster sauce to substitute, even though I knew it wouldn't be the same. And that chicken I defrosted wouldn't wait for an improptu trip to Vietnam or Thailand for fish sauce.

Around when I was planning to start cooking, my sweetie suggested a drive up the coast to the tiny town of Stinson Beach. We stopped at the teensy seaside market there and I felt a glimmering of hope-- the last time I was there I found bottled Mole Poblano sauce. I scanned all the shelves and there it was!

Hooray. The actual cooking of the chicken was touch and go-- the fish sauce smelled REALLY fishy, the cooked sauce turned nothing remotely resembling a reddish brown, but it was very easy and turned out tasty nonetheless. Next mission, lemongrass beef.

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