Ginger And Tamarind Refresher Recipes

GINGER AND TAMARIND REFRESHER

Steps:

• Bring 1½ cups (360 ml) of the water to a boil. Put the tamarind pulp in a heat-proof nonreactive bowl, and cover with the boiling water. Cover and let sit for about 1 hour, until the pulp has become soft and mushy. Using a small potato masher or clean hands, massage and squeeze the block to soften the pulp. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer suspended over a medium bowl, pressing the pulp through the strainer with a large spoon. Discard the seeds and other solids left behind. Refrigerate the tamarind extract in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use, for up to 4 days.
• Rinse the ginger and gently scrub to remove any traces of dirt. If the ginger is young, with a thin skin, leave the skin on. Otherwise, peel. Cut into thin slices. In a medium saucepan, combine the ginger, sugar, and remaining 1 cup (240 ml) water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain the ginger simple syrup through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the ginger.
• In a large pitcher, mix the tamarind extract and the ginger simple syrup together. Fill eight tall glasses with ice. Pour 4 oz (120 ml) of the tamarind-ginger syrup into each glass, top with 4 oz (120 ml) of the club soda or chilled water, and stir. Store any remaining tamarind-ginger syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• The Approach
• This rejuvenating drink combines the mild heat of young ginger and the sourness of tamarind. It's wonderful during the warmer months. Young ginger requires no peeling before use because its outer skin is so thin. I recommend using South Asian tamarind, which is a lot more sour than the Mexican variety. Look for it in Asian and Indian markets.

TAMARIND GINGER COOLER

Steps:

• Break up tamarind with your fingers into a small heavy saucepan. Add 2 cups water and simmer, stirring occasionally and breaking up tamarind as it softens, 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 15 minutes. Strain through sieve into a bowl, pressing on and then discarding solids.
• Whisk together ginger syrup, tamarind purée, remaining 5 cups water, and kosher salt in a large pitcher. Chill until cold.
• Stir drink (it will separate as it stands), then pour into glasses filled two-thirds with ice. Top off with soda water.

GINGER AND TAMARIND DIP

Steps:

• To prepare the dipping sauce --.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, lime juice, ginger, tamarind concentrate, mustard, honey, and cayenne powder.
• Refrigerate at least an hour to allow the flavours to blend.
• Tamarind concentrate is available in Indian or Asian markets.

TAMARIND-GINGER RELISH

Steps:

• Dissolve the tamarind pulp in the water. Keep aside.
• Heat the oil, add mustard. When it starts spluttering, add dried red chillies and sauté.
• Next, add chopped ginger and green chillies; fry well, strain and keep aside.
• Heat the tamarind water, add turmeric powder, chili powder, asafetida, jaggery, curry leaves and fenugreek seeds. Boil till it turns thick.
• Add the fried ginger and green chillies, boil for a minute.
• Once it has cooled, transfer to a dry airtight container.