Vietnamese Dipping Sauce

• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground chile paste
• 1 Thai bird chile or serrano pepper, chopped (optional)
• 1/4 cup Asian fish sauce (nam pla)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons grated carrots, for garnish

1. Using a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic, chile paste, and fresh chile, if desired, into a paste (or mince together with a knife).
2. Transfer to a bowl.
3. Add the fish sauce, 2/3 cup hot water, the lime juice, and sugar.
4. Whisk together until the sugar dissolves.
5. Garnish with the carrots, and serve.

garlic, ground chile paste, bird chile, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, carrots

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/vietnamese-dipping-sauce-393373 (may not work)