In a medium saucepan, combine the pineapple juice, pineapple chunks, rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, chili paste (or sweet chili sauce), minced garlic, and grated ginger (if using).
Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Stir occasionally to help dissolve the sugar and combine the flavors.
2. Thicken the Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
Once the sauce has simmered for about 5-7 minutes and the pineapple has softened, slowly add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan while stirring constantly.
Continue to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a little more water or pineapple juice to thin it out.
3. Blend for Smoothness (Optional):
For a smooth, more refined sauce, you can use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until smooth, or transfer the mixture to a blender and pulse for a few seconds. This step is optional, depending on whether you prefer a chunkier or smoother sauce.
4. Taste and Adjust:
Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or heat as needed. You can add more sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tang, or chili paste for extra spice.
5. Serve:
Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly before serving. This Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce can be used as a glaze for meats or as a dipping sauce
