Tamarind Chutney

Step 1

To a bowl, add tamarind, dates, jaggery, 2 cups water and red chilli powder.

Step 2

Pour 1 cup water to your pressure cooker, place a rack/ trivet. Keep the bowl of ingredients inside. Cover the bowl. Cover the pressure cooker.

Step 3

Pressure cook for 3 whistles on a medium heat. If using Instant pot, press the pressure cook button and set the timer to 9 to 10 minutes.

Step 4

Once done, wait for the pressure to release completely. Remove the bowl and add all of the spice powders. Mix and cover immediately so the flavors will be absorbed.

Step 5

Cool this completely. Using a masher, mash it very well or blend in a blender. Place a strainer over a large bowl and add the cooked tamarind paste. Pass it through the sieve. Taste test and add more salt and spice if needed.

Step 6

Store tamarind chutney in a clear jar and refrigerate.

Step 7

Optional: Heat half tsp ghee in a pot. Add hing to it.

Step 8

Pour water to the pot. Deseed the tamarind and dates if any. Add them to the pot. Also add jaggery.

Step 9

Boil all the 3 ingredients until dates & tamarind turns very soft. If the mixture turns too thick then you can add up another half cup water. Some kind of dates and tamarind need more water.

Step 10

Add red chili powder, salt, saunf powder, coriander powder, ginger powder and jeera powder. Mix all of these and continue to cook further for 2 to 3 mins until the flavor of the spices comes out.

Step 11

Cool this mixture completely. Check if any tamarind or dates seeds are left in the pulp. Discard them.

Step 12

Add the entire mixture to a blender jar and blend until smooth.

Step 13

I added about half cup boiled and cooled water at this stage to help blend smoothly.

Step 14

Place a sieve or colander over a large bowl. Then transfer the pureed dates tamarind chutney to it and pass through.

Step 15

You will get smooth thick tamarind chutney. Add this to a clean moist free glass bottle and store in refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.

Step 16

This chutney turns thick due to the addition of dates. So you will need to bring to consistency before using in chaats. Scoop a few tbsps from the bottle to a bowl and add some hot water. Mix up well. This will refresh your tamarind chutney.