Tamarind chutney (Imlee kee chutney)

[Suvir Saran]

Tamarind chutney (Imlee kee chutney)

Tamarind makes a sweet and sour chutney with the consistency of hot fudge sauce. It's an important element in the street- and snack-foods of northern India. Suvir Saran

• 1 T canola oil
  
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
  
• 1 tsp ground ginger
  
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  
• 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
  
• 1/2 tsp asafetida
  
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
  
• 2 c water
  
• 1-1/4 c sugar
  
• 3 T tamarind concentrate
  

Combine the oil and the spices in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and cook, stirring, 1 minute

Add the water, the sugar and the tamarind concentrate. Bring to a boil, turn the heat down and simmer until it turns a chocolaty brown color and is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon, 20 to 30 minutes. (While still warm, it will look like a thin chocolate sauce and it will thicken a bit as it cools.) Makes about 1 1/4 cups.

Keywords: Easy, Condiment, Indian, The Daily Gullet

( RG181 )