“most important chili mayo
Every great sandwich includes some kind of spread, and we’ll say with authority that the tastiest one is mayonnaise. Add some sambal oelek (see The Num Pang Pantry, page 29), a spicy, garlicky chili sauce, and you have a mayo that is so good, it has near-addictive qualities—which is why it is a component of every single Num Pang sandwich. Whether the sambal is mixed with mayo or with vegan mayo or yogurt, the spicy, rich, and creamy dimension it adds to the sandwich helps balance the sweet tang of the pickles, the freshness of the cucumbers, and the robustness of the protein or vegetables. You can find sambal in the Asian foods aisle of most big supermarkets—and if you can’t, a squirt of Sriracha is a fine substitute.
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sambal oelek (see The Num Pang Pantry, page 29), plus more as needed
1½ teaspoons sugar
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sambal, sugar, salt, and pepper. Taste and add more sambal if you want it spicier. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to[…]”