Spicy Dipping Paste (Ssam Jang)

~Whenever we have dinner at one of my four sisters-in-law’s homes, we almost always have Korean style barbeque, which is more of a grilled meat.  Since meat is the main focus, ban chan such as seasoned bean sprouts, seasoned spinach, or even kimchee is rarely served.  Usually, the only non-protein on the table is lettuce to wrap the grilled meat, and cucumbers and long peppers.  The accompanying sauce/paste is used as a condiment for the wrap, and also as a dip for the vegetables. Sometimes I like to whip up a batch of dipping paste to accompany cucumber strips, just for a quick snack.  The paste is sweet with a bit of salt and has just an underlying amount of heat, which sneaks up on you.  It is a perfect contrast to the crisp clean taste of cucumbers.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp gochujang

1 tbsp doenjang

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 tsp light soy sauce

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Serve.