Kamala wrote:
>
> Arri London > wrote in message >...
> > Julia Altshuler wrote:
> > >
> > > Kamala wrote:
> > >
> > > > You had a coconut chutney with the dosa!
> > > >
> > > > For a really simple recipe, blend as smoothly as you can - a cup of
> > > > grated coconut(fresh or frozen, do not use the dessicated kind) with a
> > > > serrano/thai pepper(optional), a small lump of tamarind or a tsp of
> > > > lemon juice, salt and a bit of water. If you are using frozen grated
> > > > coconut, bring it to room temperature first and then use lukewarm
> > > > water to grind the chutney.
> > > >
> > > > For tempering, heat a little bit of oil in a small pot like a butter
> > > > warmer, add a few mustard seeds and a pinch of asafoetida(optional),
> > > > and as soon as the seeds pop, mix the entire seasoning into the
> > > > chutney.
> > >
> > > I'll bet tamarind is the flavor I liked so much and couldn't identify.
> > > I like coconut and recognized it immediately. I also like tart flavors
> > > and couldn't figure out if I was tasting vinegar or lemon. I wondered
> > > if the chef had used an especially light hand. I'm always
> > > over-vinegaring everything if I'm not careful. I'll have to check out
> > > tamarind.
> > >
> > > --Lia
> >
> > Great stuff! For an different sort of snack, take lumps of packaged
> > tamarind pulp,remove the pits and roll the pulp into small balls. Coat
> > the balls with a mixture of half caster/fine sugar and half pure chile
> > powder.
>
> Yes, I remember tamarind candy being sold in a tiny grocery store next
> to my grandma's when I was growing up in India. They were stored in
> large glass containers on the cashier's counter. My grandma gave us
> 0.05 of a rupee to get 1-2 balls of candy much to my mother's
> disapproval :-) They were sweet and sour and extremely yummy.
>
> - Kamala.

LOL! I had no idea they were from India. First time I encountered any,
it was in a Caribbean shop in London and the sweets were from Jamaica.
Quite a surprise with my first bite, as you can imagine.