Anyone know of an alternative for tamarind paste?

elsien

Found a really nice looking recipe, and I have everything in that is says but that.
I could probably get some from the shop round the corner, but I'm trying not to spend any money at the moment and don't want to buy something I may not use again.

Pink_Giraffe

Try dark muscovado (sp?) sugar diluted with lime or lemon juice.

Failing that tamarind is apparently the main ingredient in Worcester sauce so I'd be tempted to try that (but I don't guarantee it as I've never tried it!!)

dogstarheaven

saw it in morrison's (i think it was there, if not tesco or asda) last week, in the ethnic food section for 49p for a slab of dried pulp. it's got seeds in it, and all you do, is to put a small piece into some hot water to turn into a paste. i think the dried pulp can keep for a long while. it's cheap enough anyway.

elsien

Thanks both.
Sods law I just gave the last of my limes away as I didn't think I'd be needing them.

misskool

What's the recipe? It may just need a bit of acidity so anything not too sharp like a rice vinegar will do the trick.

elsien

Potato and cauliflower curry, sauce based on tomato and coconut with fresh coriander, cardamon and various other ground spices, fish sauce, but I'm using soy instead, and the tamarind. (The cardamon sold it to me - I love that stuff.) Just found a jif lemon lurking in the cupboard, so I'll try that instead. Really looking forward to this one.

angeltreats

I love cardamom too Just leave the tamarind out, it'll be fine without it. You could also try this substitute but I've no idea if it's any good or not!

dogstarheaven

i must admit - mine was chucked out ages ago, because it just sat there in my fridge for months on end. it's v popular for oriental dishes from Malay, Philippines, Thailand etc., (not Chinese or Japanese). Last time I used it was a Beef Rendang (a beef curry from Malaysia) that took about 30 ingredients and loads of processes! I shan't be making that again as it didn't wow me enough!

justin1972uk

Tamarind is one of the main ingredients of HP Sauce.

Might be a bit too vinegary though if you add a large dollop. Maybe a couple of teaspoons?

dogstarheaven

hmm, that's interesting about HP sauce (that's the brown sauce to us non-fans???) let us know if that works, then i'll nick my OH's sauce as a good substitute!