Description
This Date & Tamarind Sauce (Sonth) is a delightful sweet and tart condiment traditionally used in South Asian cuisine. Combining the rich flavors of tamarind, dates, and jaggery with warming spices like ginger, garam masala, and cumin, this sauce adds a unique depth to snacks, grilled foods, or as a dipping sauce. Quick to make and perfect for enhancing any dish with its balanced tangy sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 150g wet tamarind, preferably seedless
- 125g pitted dates
- 175g jaggery, date palm sugar, or light muscovado sugar
- 1 tsp ginger powder
- ½ tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Approximately 500ml water (enough to cover tamarind and dates)
Instructions
- Prepare Tamarind and Dates: Break up the wet tamarind and dates into smaller pieces and place them into a pan.
- Add Jaggery and Water: Add the jaggery to the pan along with about 500ml of water, just enough to cover the tamarind and dates completely.
- Simmer the Mixture: Bring the pan to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 20 minutes or until the tamarind has softened thoroughly.
- Strain the Pulp: Remove the pan from heat and push the tamarind-date mixture through a sieve to remove any fibers for a smooth sauce.
- Adjust Consistency: The sauce should have a coating consistency; add a little water if it becomes too thick.
- Season the Sauce: Stir in the ginger powder, garam masala, and ground cumin. Taste the sauce and add a little more jaggery if it needs additional sweetness.
- Chill Before Serving: Let the sauce cool, then refrigerate. It keeps well for 3 to 4 days in the fridge, ready to serve alongside your favorite dishes.
Notes
- Use wet, seedless tamarind for quicker cooking and easier sieving.
- If you only have dried tamarind blocks, soak them in warm water to soften before using.
- The sauce’s sweetness and tartness can be adjusted by adding more jaggery or tamarind according to taste.
- This sauce pairs well with fried snacks, grilled meats, or rice dishes.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: South Asian
Keywords: Date tamarind sauce, Sonth sauce, tamarind chutney, sweet and tart sauce, South Asian condiment
