Tamarind - Date Chutney

Ingredients

• 8-10 large dates, pits removed
• 3/4 cup jaggery (Indian unrefined sugar) or dark brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 4 tablespoons tamarind paste
• 1/4 teaspoon hot chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground garam masala
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. 1

   Place the sugar, dates and water in a saucepan over medium heat.

2. 2

   Bring to a boil and simmer for about 7-8 minutes, until the dates are very soft.

3. 3

   Stir in the tamarind.

4. 4

   Very carefully, pour the ingredients into a blender, clamp the lid down tight and blend until smooth (or blend in the pot with an immersion/stick blender).

5. 5

   Return the mixture to the pot and boil until thick enough to thinly coat the back of a spoon (the chutney will thicken more as it cools).

6. 6

   Stir in the spices and salt.

7. 7

   Taste for seasoning: the chutney should be equal parts sweet, salty and sour.

8. 8

   Add more tamarind, sugar or salt if any of these needs a boost.

9. 9

   Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.