Tamarind Dipping Sauce Recipes

TAMARIND DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

TAMARIND DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• To a small saucepan, add water, palm sugar, fish sauce, and tamarind paste. Turn heat to high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer. Add chile powder; whisk to break up the palm sugar and tamarind pulp. Continue cooking on a low simmer, 5-8 minutes. Pour dipping sauce into a bowl and cool to room temperature. Makes about 1½ cups. You can store it in the refrigerator in a sealed container for weeks.

TAMARIND-GINGER DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Whisk in the tamarind liquid and water. When the mixture comes to a boil, remove from the heat.
• Whisk in the sugar and fish sauce, starting out with the smaller amounts. Taste and add additional sugar or fish sauce to create a tart, spicy, sweet, savory sauce. Set aside, uncovered, to cool to room temperature and to let the flavors bloom.
• Before serving, taste again and adjust the flavor balance a final time. Transfer to a serving bowl or divide the sauce among individual dipping sauce bowls. If all the diners like chile heat, add the chile slices to the bowl(s). If not, serve the chile slices on the side for diners to add as desired.