「Simple Caramelized Sugar (for coloring)」

Ingredients and amounts

• 100ml oil (to taste)
• 500ml boiling water (to taste)
• Sugar (rock sugar used here, to taste)

Step-by-step method

1. 1

   Step 1

   Turn on the heat and pour 100ml of boiling water into the pot.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Immediately pour 100ml of oil into the pot (the shorter the interval between steps, the better). Use high or medium heat; high heat is fine if in a hurry.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Add rock sugar (if the sugar is clumped, crush it beforehand for best results).

4. 4

   Step 4

   Reduce heat to medium.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Start stirring.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Stir continuously until the mixture turns brownish. Then reduce heat to low.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Continue until it thins, turns tea-red, then a deep sauce-red color, and small bubbles appear. Prepare for step 1 or step 2 below.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Small bubbles will gradually disappear, then large bubbles will appear. When large bubbles form, the caramel is ready.

9. 9

   Step 9

   Quickly proceed to the next step (prepare everything in advance and work fast, or the sugar will burn and become bitter). Choose based on the dish and personal taste.

10. 10

    Step 10

    Option 1: Add 400ml of boiling water to cool the mixture.

11. 11

    Step 11

    Option 2: Add aromatics like scallion, ginger, garlic, or Sichuan peppercorns and stir-fry.