These days not a weekend goes by that we don't know someone in the neighborhood is grilling outdoors. In fact, the delicious aroma wafting in from our neighbors' back decks often influences our choice for Saturday's dinner. One night it may be grilled chicken, another a juicy steak or perhaps a flavorful fish fillet.

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With today's recipe for Hoisin Ginger Sauce, any plain grilled meat instantly becomes gourmet fare. It's so amazing that you can forget marinating: The flavor is all in the sauce. It goes together with pantry ingredients in less than 10 minutes and will keep refrigerated for more than a week.

Write Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross at Desperation Dinners, c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016 or e-mail bev-alicia@desperationdinners.com. For more dinners and menus, visit www.desperationdinners.com.

In a 1-quart or larger saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Rinse and thinly slice the green onions, using all of the whites and enough of the tender green tops to make 1/3 cup. Add them to the pan. Stir and cook until the green tops are tender, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the remaining ingredients and stir well. Cook over medium heat until the sauce is slightly thick. Remove the sauce from the heat and cool slightly before serving over grilled meat of choice.

Makes 1 ½ cups

Note: Hoisin sauce is a sweet, complex Asian condiment found on the grocery-store shelves alongside the other Asian ingredients.

Per serving: Calories 30 (41% from fat) Fat 1 g (trace saturated) Cholesterol trace Sodium 180 mg Fiber trace Carbohydrates 4 g

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Grilled meat of choice, with Hoisin Ginger Sauce

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