Sweet-and-Sour Sauce

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped yellow onion
• 1 small clove garlic, finely minced
• 3 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce or 2 tablespoons light (regular) soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon chopped scallion, green part only
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped carrot
• 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped red bell pepper

1. In a saucepan, combine the water, onion, garlic, sugar, vinegar, fish sauce, salt, and white pepper and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
2. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Give the cornstarch mixture a stir, add it to the pan, and continue to cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds, or until the sauce thickens.
4. Remove from the heat and stir in the scallion, carrot, and bell pepper.
5. Let the sauce stand for 5 to 10 minutes.
6. Taste and adjust the flavors.
7. Transfer to a bowl or divide among dipping sauce bowls, and serve warm or at room temperature.

water, yellow onion, clove garlic, sugar, white vinegar, fish sauce, salt, white pepper, cornstarch, scallion, carrot, red bell pepper

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/sweet-and-sour-sauce-383012 (may not work)