Fish Sauce Caramel

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 4 large shallots, very thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
• 1 dried hot red chile
• 3 star anise pods
• One 2-inch cinnamon stick
• 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup Asian fish sauce

1. In a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan, combine the sugar, lemon juice and 1/4 cup of water and bring to a boil.
2. Using a wet pastry brush, wash down any sugar crystals on the side of the pan.
3. Boil undisturbed over moderately low heat until a deep amber caramel forms, about 20 minutes.
4. Stir in the shallots, chile, star anise, cinnamon and pepper.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully whisk in the fish sauce and 1/4 cup of water.
6. Stir over moderate heat until the caramel is dissolved.
7. Pour the sauce into a heatproof bowl and let cool completely.
8. Remove the chile, star anise and cinnamon stick.
9. Use immediately or refrigerate.

sugar, lemon juice, shallots, hot red chile, anise pods, cinnamon stick, fresh ground black pepper, fish sauce

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/fish-sauce-caramel (may not work)