Categories: Condiments, Indian, Vegetables 
      Yield: 3 cups 
  
      8 oz Pitted medjool dates 
    1/4 ts Red chili powder 
    1/2 ts Salt 
    1/4 ts Cumin powder 
      3 c  Water 
    1/2 ts Tamarind paste 
  
  This recipe calls for tamarind paste, a sweet-and-sour flavoring made from 
  the beanlike tamarind fruit.  If you can't find tamarind paste, add 1/2 cup 
  honey and 1/2 cup vinegar to dates during cooking. 
   
  Place dates in a medium saucepan and cover with water.  Cook until soft and 
  tender, about 25 minutes.  Or cook dates for 15 minutes in a pressure 
  cooker.  Set cooked dates aside to cool. 
   
  Puree dates in small batches in a food processor or blender, adding a 
  little water as needed to make a smooth paste. 
   
  Melt tamarind and spices to pureed dates.  Stir well.  Add more water as 
  needed to make a thick sauce. 
   
  Calories per tablespoon: 13 Grams of fat: 0 % fat calories: 0 Cholesterol: 
  0 mg Grams of fiber: .2 
   
  Source: Jessica Shah in 'Delicious!', April 1994 Typed for you by Karen 
  Mintzias