Sonoran Tamarind Sauce Recipes

TAMARIND SAUCE

Steps:

• Break up the block of tamarind into about six pieces in a small saucepan and cover with 375ml ( 1 ½ cups) water. Bring to a rolling simmer over medium-high heat, stirring often for about 5 minutes. Then remove from the heat and let it cool for another 5 minutes.
• Using a wooden spoon or potato masher, smash the tamarind in the water. The sauce will become thick like ketchup. Run this through a sieve into a bowl, pushing against the solids as you do. You should end up with a thick tamarind paste. If you have ever used shop bought tamarind concentrate, this is what you have though shop bought tamarind concentrate is much more concentrated. Discard any solids that remain in the sieve.
• Return the tamarind paste to the saucepan and add the cumin, chaat masala (if using), ginger, chilli powder and sugar. Bring to a simmer for about 3 minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved. You can add a drop more water if you prefer a runnier sauce or reduce it more if you prefer a thicker sauce. Taste the sauce and add more sugar, salt or other spices to taste. (You will need to dissolve any additional sugar over a medium heat if added.)
• I store this in a convenient squirt bottle in the fridge.

SONORAN TAMARIND SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. In a medium saucepan, bring vinegar, brown sugar, and garlic to a low boil, whisking until brown sugar has completely dissolved. Boil, stirring often, until liquid is reduced by half; liquid will be a syrup at this point.
• 2. Lower heat to a simmer and whisk in the beef broth. Whisk in the tamarind paste. Stir in ginger and simmer to let sauce reduce a little more.
• 3. Pour sauce through a sieve into a serving bowl. Spoon over sliced pork tenderloin.

SONORAN STYLE HOT DOG

Steps:

• Wrap each dog evenly in 1 slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick at both ends and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the bacon and help it adhere.
• Heat a grill or grill pan for medium heat. Grill each side of the hot dogs until the bacon is extra crispy but not burnt. It is import to control the heat to insure the hot dogs get properly warmed through and the bacon does not burn or undercook. Set aside.
• Butter the outsides of the "pocketed" rolls and gently griddle them until just golden brown.
• Layer a schmear of warm refried beans on the bottom of each roll followed by a bacon-wrapped dog. Top with the avocados, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and a squiggly drizzle of Zesty Mayo. Garnish with some cilantro leaves and serve with your favorite hot sauce.
• Combine the cilantro, mayonnaise, hot sauce, lime zest and juice and some salt and pepper in a bowl and whisk until well blended.

SONORAN TAMARIND SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring vinegar, brown sugar, and garlic to a low boil, whisking until brown sugar has completely dissolved.
• Boil, stirring often until liquid has reduced by half; liquid will be a syrup at this point.
• Lower heat to a simmer and whisk in the beef broth. Whisk in the tamarind paste. Stir in the ginger and simmer to let sauce reduce a little more.
• Pour sauce through a sieve into a serving bowl.
• Spoon over sliced pork tenderloin.

SWEET AND SOUR TAMARIND SAUCE

Steps:

• In a sauce pan, heat oil on low heat. Fry the shallots until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
• Add the whole chilis and stir frequent as the chilis will cook very fast. They will turn darker when they are done. Remove the chilis and set aside.
• Add the rest of the ingredients. Let the sauce simmer for one or two minutes. Remove and serve in a small bowl. The sauce will get thicker as it cools.
• Sprinkle the fried shallot and chili on top. If you prefer it hotter, break up the chilis into small pieces and sprinkle on top the sauce.

SWEET AND SOUR TAMARIND SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat water in a saucepan over low heat. Dissolve sugar and tamarind powder in warm water; add soy sauce, peanuts, and red onions. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until onions become slightly translucent, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir cilantro into the sauce; continue cooking until thickened to your liking, 5 to 7 minutes more.

TAMARIND SAUCE

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, bring the vinegar and brown sugar to a low boil. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved and reduce by half to produce a syrup.
• Reduce the heat to low and stir in the pre-heated beef broth, (I do this in the microwave until it's about 110 degrees F.) Then stir in the tamarind paste, garlic, and the ginger. Allow to reduce just a little and then strain the sauce into a serving bowl.
• NOTE: Tamarind sauce can be obtained at an ethnic grocer (some sell online).

SPICY FISH WITH TAMARIND SAUCE

Steps:

• Grind mustard seeds and chilies in a spice grinder and set aside.
• Combine tamarind paste and warm water in a small bow and mash together to make a brown liquid. Strain through a sieve to remove solids. Toss solids, retain liquid.
• Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. saute onion and garlic for 5 minutes. Add ginger, saute for 2 more minutes. Add curry powder and mustard-chili mixture. Saute 1 minute. Add tamarind water and a dash of salt. Add fish. Simmer 10 minutes or so until the fish is cooked.