Tamarind / Imli Saunth /chutney

Hi friends! This unusual sweet and sour chutney is the authentic sweet and tangy Tamarind Chutney/saunth with soaked tamarind / imli blended with spices.

Preparation Time : 30-45 minutes

Cooking time : 25-30 minutes

Servings : 4

Ingredients:

• 200 gms tamarind /Imali seeded
• 300 gms jaggery / Gur broken into small pieces
• 1 tsp Salt /or salt to taste
• 1 tsp black Rock Salt / Kala Namak (black Rock Salt powdered),
• 1 tsp Sounth / ginger powder
• ¼ tsp Black pepper powder / Kali mirch powder
• ¼ tsp Red Chili powder
• 2 tsp  Roasted cumin /Jeera Powder
• 2 tbsp dry dates, cut into small pieces
• 1 tbsp kishmish
• 4 1/2  – 5 cups water

Method:

Step 1.

Soak the tamarind in four cups of water for two- three hours. Mash well and then strain into a pulp. Keep aside.

Step 2.

Add water to the tamarind pulp to thin it down to a pouring consistency.

Step 3.

Add the jaggery / Gur, table salt, black salt, Sounth / ginger powder, Black pepper powder, Red Chili powder, roasted cumin /Jeera Powder  dry dates, and kishmish.

Step 4.

Cook  on medium flame till jaggery dissolves completely and the chutney gets little thick(not too thick).

Step 5.

Turn off flame and allow it to cool at room temperature.

Step 6.

Transfer prepared sweet and sour tamarind chutney to airtight container and store in refrigerator for up to one month for anytime use.

Note:  This Chutney thickens more on cooling so check for consistency while cooking. Tamarind chutney (Imali chutney/ saunth), a delicious sweet and sour  sauce, goes very well with almost all Indian snacks. It is a must have chutney / sauce for making delicious pani puri and bhel puri.

Health Benefits of Tamarind:

Digestive Health: Tamarind has long been considered a natural laxative, and its dietary fiber content probably has something to do with it. Eating tamarind as a fruit or as a spice can increase the efficiency of your digestive system, while the fiber can bulk up your stool, making it move through the smooth muscles of the intestinal tract easier.

Heart Health:  The fiber content in tamarind certainly has something to do with the reduction in cholesterol, since it is known to scrap excess LDL cholesterol from the veins and arteries. The potassium in tamarind may be responsible for the reduction in blood pressure, since it is known as a vasodilator that reduces the stress on the cardiovascular system. The impressive level of vitamin C in tamarind also may have something to do with it as well, since vitamin C is an antioxidant compound that can reduce the impact of free radicals, those pesky byproducts of cellular metabolism that have been linked to heart disease and a number of other health conditions.

Circulation: Tamarind is a very good source of iron, and a single serving can provide more than 10% of your daily requirement. A healthy supply of iron in the body guarantees the proper red blood cell count in the body, which can ensure appropriate oxygenation of different muscles and organs that need oxygen to function properly.

Nerve Function: One of the most significant vitamin elements of tamarind is the B complex. Thiamine, one of the most important parts of that vitamin family, is found in high quantities within tamarind. Thiamine is responsible for improving nerve function, as well as muscle development, which can help you remain active, maintain your reflexive, and stay strong.

Weight Loss: One of the unique compounds that can be extracted from tamarinds or gained as a benefit from it when used as a spice is called hydroxycitric acid (HCA). HCA is connected to weight loss because it has been shown to inhibit an enzyme in the body that specifically helps store fat.

Manage Diabetes: Along with its ability to stop weight gain, inhibiting that enzyme, alpha-amylase mainly stops carbohydrates from being absorbed, which are easily converted to simple sugars or fats.

Anti-Inflammatory Capacity: The essential oils of tamarind have been connected to a number of anti-inflammatory abilities, including the reduction of joint pain and inflammation, arthritis, rheumatic conditions, and gout.

Immune System: High levels of vitamin C, as well as other antioxidant effects in the essential oils make tamarind a wonderful way to boost your immune system and ensure long-term health from microbial and fungal infections. It also reduces the occurrence of parasites in the body due to its antiseptic and antimicrobial effects. It has specifically been linked to eliminating stomach worms in children in tropical areas where tamarind in cultivated.

A Few Words of Caution: The main concern is that tamarind lowers blood pressure and is a blood thinner, so it can be difficult to reduce bleeding in case something happens. If you are taking aspirin or other blood thinners, be careful if you ingest an excessive amount of tamarind.

Ref.https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/tamarind.html

Nick’s kitchen medical Disclaimer:

• Nick’s kitchen is for Vegetarians. It sometimes provides education and support to individuals who want to become vegetarian, or move toward a more vegetarian diet.
• Nick’s kitchen provides some information on vegetarian and vegan diets to the best of their knowledge and abilities.
• Nick’s kitchen does not claim to be health care professional, nutritionist, nor does it claims to treat any illness through vegan or vegetarian diet.
• If you have a medical condition,Nick’s kitchen recommend that you consult your health care professionals before changing your diet.
• Any changes that you make to your diet, and the results of those changes, are your decision and your responsibility.