Seasoning "Nuoc Cham"

Ingredients:

• 1 small fresh chili pepper
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 3 teaspoons of sugar
• 1 fresh lime
• 2 tablespoons Vietnamese anchovy fish sauce (nuoc mam)
• 3 tablespoons of water

Preparation:

1. Remove the stem from the pepper. Cut it in half, remove and discard the seeds and membranes. Finely chop the pepper.
   
   In a mortar, combine the chopped chili pepper, garlic, and sugar. Mash the mixture to form a paste. Trim the zest and white pith from the lime and discard. Add the lime to the chili mixture. Mash well.
   
   Add fish sauce and water. Mix well. Serve as a seasoning in place of salt and pepper.
   Exit: 1/3 cup