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Tamarind Dipping Sauce

2.9

(3)

Photo of spring rolls with tamarind dipping sauce.
Photo by Joseph De Leo

This recipe originally accompanied Vidalia Onion Fritters with Tamarind Dipping Sauce.

Tamarind water gives this very nicely balanced tart-yet-sweet dipping sauce its lovely deep orange color and unusual flavor. The sauce is delicious with Vidalia Onion Fritters and other fried foods.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 2 cups

Ingredients

5 ounces tamarind pulp
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons cold water
1 piece (1 inch) fresh ginger, peeled and grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons sugar, or more to taste
1 tablespoon chili-garlic sauce (sambal oelek)
2 teaspoons Thai fish sauce (nam pla)
1 teaspoon good-quality soy sauce, such as Kikkoman
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    1. Combine the tamarind and 2 cups of the water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove the pan from the heat and let stand until the tamarind has softened, about 15 minutes. Help it along by breaking up the pulp with a spoon.

    Step 2

    2. Strain the tamarind through a sieve, pressing on the pulp to extract as much water as possible. Discard the pump and seeds and return the water to the pan. Add the ginger, garlic, 3 tablespoons sugar, the chili-garlic sauce, fish sauce, and soy sauce and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

    Step 3

    3. Whisk the cornstarch with the remaining 2 tablespoons water. When smooth, whisk the mixture into the tamarind sauce, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool. Before serving, taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more sugar if necessary to balance the tartness of the tamarind. Store tamarind sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Excerpted From Staff Meals from Chanterelle
Copyright 2000 by David Waltuck and Melicia Phillips
Used by Permission of Workman Publishing Co. Inc., New York
All Rights Reserved
No Portion of this Publication May be Reproduced Without Written Permission of Workman
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