Tamarind Chutney

Ingredients

2 cups tamarind pulp

2 tablespoons ginger (fresh, chopped)

2 tablespoons chopped chilli (or less, depending on strength)

3 teaspoons cumin seeds

3 teaspoons mustard seed

6 curry leaves, or bay leaves if not available

1-cup sugar

3 tablespoons ghee or corn oil

Salt to taste

Method

  1. Steep the tamarind pulp in 3 cups of hot water, for half an hour, or until cool enough to squeeze out the pulp by hand.
  2. Remove the seeds and any stringy bits and keep all of the pulpy water.
  3. Add the chopped ginger, chilli, sugar and salt to the pulp.
  4. In a pan, fry cumin, mustard seeds and curry leaves in the ghee until the mustard seeds start to pop.
  5. Add the tamarind pulp mixture and simmer until the mixture begins to thicken.
  6. Continue to cook on medium heat until mixture has the consistency of a thick soup.
  7. Do not cook too long.
  8. Put it in a jar and keep in the refrigerator.
  9. Add to soups, curries and other meat dishes.