Nuoc Cham

This is a great all-purpose dipping sauce for Vietnamese or Thai dishes, grilled vegetables, or as a marinade. If you can't find fish sauce in the Asian section of your grocery store, it is available at any Asian market. If you don't eat fish, you can substitute soy sauce.

¼ cup hot water
2 TBSP sugar
2 TBSP fish sauce
2-3 TBSP lime juice
3 Thai chilies, sliced as thinly as possible
2 cloves garlic, minced

In a bowl, whisk together water and sugar until sugar is completely dissolved. Let sit at room temperature a couple minutes. Whisk in all remaining ingredients. Allow to sit and flavors to mingle at least 10 minutes before using.