Tamarind (Imli) Chutney

Serves: 4

Ingredients:
1. 200gms of Tamarind or 1tbsp tamarind paste (both available in any Indian Grocery Shop)
2. 3 cups of Water
3. 1 cup of Jaggery or Sugar
4. Spices: 1tsp each of Red pepper powder, roasted-cumin powder, roasted-fennel powder.
5. 2-3 soft Dates (khajoor), finely chopped
6. Salt to taste
Procedure:
1. Soak the tamarind in water for an hour or if you are using the tamarind paste, you can use it instantly by dissolving it in the water.
2. Start heating the tamarind solution on medium high flame. Squeeze out the tamarind pulp before heating, in case of the former solution.
3. Add the jaggery to it and bring it to a boil.
4. Now, add all the spices and the dates and give it a good stir.
5. Keep stirring frequently while you boil the sauce (chutney).
6. Switch off the flame when the sauce has reduced to almost ½ its original quantity and it also thickens a bit, at this stage.
7. Keep it aside to cool and you'll notice it thickens more as it cools down.
8. Tamarind Chutney is ready, serve cold as a dip with on-trays or can be used in chat as well.