Easy Tamarind Chutney

I love tamarind chutney, don't you? The sweet and sour condiment that's served at Indian restaurants. My version is easy to prepare. It has a smooth, rich texture and a complex flavor. This molasses-colored sauce is naturally sweetened with dates. It's wonderful with Indian flatbread, samosas, sandwiches or sauteed chicken. It's great with empanadas, rice and beans and jerk chicken too. I find many more uses for this delicious chutney.

   

Perky ginger and lime juice make it fresh and tangy. The sauce is always a hit with my dinner guests. They keep spooning it onto their plates, mixing it into rice, asking me how it's made. 

My version is much better than the watered-down, overly-sweet restaurant kind. The tartness of the tamarind is balanced by the natural sweetness of the dates. If you're in the mood, you can stir some honey and sriracha into it too. Dates give it a deep, honeyed-flavor and a luxurious texture.    

Easy Tamarind Chutney Recipe

Makes A Small Bowl Full

Some Notes & Tips

I use Tamicon Tamarind concentrate in this recipe. I find it in most Indian markets or online.

I like my chutney thick. But if you prefer a thinner consistency, just add more water.

If you're in the mood for a sweet and spicy chutney, stir in some cayenne pepper or sriracha sauce.

It can be stored in the fridge for 3 days.

Ingredients

• 10 medjool dates, pitted
• 1-2 limes or lemons
• 5 teaspoons of tamarind concentrate (see notes for source) 
• 1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated
• 2 teaspoons of honey or agave (optional)
• 1/2 cup of water
• Salt to taste. I use fine sea salt.  
• Sriracha sauce or cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

Place the pitted dates, tamarind concentrate, ginger and water in a small sauce pot. Stir in pinch of salt. Cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes, gently mashing the dates with the back of your spoon. Keep simmering and mashing the dates until it bubbles and forms a paste. Transfer the mixture to a food processor or a blender and whiz until smooth and creamy. Put the sauce into a bowl and stir in a few good squeezes of lime or lemon juice. Add a little water to your taste. Season with salt. Taste. Stir in some honey or agave if you prefer it sweeter.

Bon Appetit!