Cookery: To cook, twist 'n' open

Call them convenience factors or considerate helpers, fact is, commercial sauces are an indispensable ingredient in modern cooking. Sweet, tangy, fiery, creamy or herb-laden, each sauce has a taste and purpose that is unique. This week, chefs present some delicious dishes using bottled sauces as a star player

Commercial sauces have become an integral part of contemporary food and are without doubt a boon for the busy cook trying to whip up a delicious meal in very little time.

Little wonder then that a variety of these sauces have made it to our dining tables and kitchen shelves.

Be it the ubiquitous tomato ketchup or the exotic Oriental condiments, thanks to ready-made sauces, you can experiment with different varieties to lend a near-authentic flavour to your food.

Today's supermarket shelves are packed with bottled sauces from nearly every part of the world, making it a thrill and an adventure to attempt varied cuisines. These sauces, from the very well-known ones like Worcestershire to lesser known but very distinctive ones like pesto, may be used as dips or accompaniments for snacks and main meals, or as a marinade for meat and veggies or as a basting ingredient when grilling.

It is a good idea to keep your pantry stocked with as many varied sauces as possible in order to make room for creativity as well as versatility. During a time crunch, there is nothing like a bottled sauce for quick success.

Simply twist, open and pour... and you have a lip-licking dish ready to be savoured.

Thai Fried Fish in Sweet Chilli Sauce
Serves 6