tamarind water recipe | imli ka pani | Indian homemade tamarind water | how to make tamarind water for sambar |

by Tarla Dalal

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tamarind water recipe | imli ka pani | Indian homemade tamarind water | how to make tamarind water for sambar | with 10 amazing images.

tamarind water recipe | imli ka pani | Indian homemade tamarind water | how to make tamarind water for sambar is a basic ingredient used in Indian cooking. Learn how to make tamarind water for sambar.

To make tamarind water, combine the tamarind and warm water in a deep bowl, cover it with a lid and keep aside for 30 minutes. Rub the tamarind well using your fingers till all the pulp has been extracted. Strain the mixture using a strainer in a deep bowl. Use as required.

Tamarind has a unique tang, which is quite different from lemon, tomatoes or other tangy ingredients. From dals and curries to gravies and South Indian dishes like Sambhar and Rasam, tamarind water for sambar is a great value add.

The difference between Indian homemade tamarind water and tamarind pulp is that the water is dilute and less concentrated, while the tamarind pulp is thick and very concentrated.

The famous Gujarati snack Patra gets its tangy flavour too from imli ka pani and so does the famous Parsi delicacy dhansaak make use of tamarind water to enhance the flavour of the dish.

Tips for tamarind water. 1. This recipe makes use of dried tamarind and not fresh tamarind. 2. Use warm water for soaking, so as to get the maximum tamarind extract. 3. Prefer to use your fingers to press and crush the tamarind mixture in the strainer. If you find the tamarind mixture to be pulpy, then keep pressing and crushing till all the pulp has been extracted. Add a tbsp. of water if required. It helps to extract the pulp. 4. You can make a batch of Tamarind Water and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for around a week. In the deep freezer, it stays for 2 to 3 months.

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Tamarind Water, Imli ka Pani recipe - How to make Tamarind Water, Imli ka Pani

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Soaking time: 30 minutes Preparation Time: 2 mins Cooking Time: 5 mins Total Time: 37 mins Makes 0.5 cup (7 tbsp )
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Ingredients

For Tamarind Water
1 tbsp tamarind (imli)
1/2 cup warm water

Method

Combine the tamarind and warm water in a deep bowl, cover it with a lid and keep aside for 30 minutes.
Rub the tamarind well using your fingers till all the pulp has been extracted.
Strain the mixture using a strainer in a deep bowl.
Use as required.

Tamarind Water, Imli ka Pani recipe with step by step photos

If you like tamarind water

If you like tamarind water, then use it to make recipes like
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- dal rasam recipe | tur dal rasam | paruppu rasam | South Indian toovar dal rasam | with 33 amazing images.
- mullangi sambar

What is tamarind water made of?

Tamarind water is made of 1 tbsp tamarind (imli) and 1/2 cup warm water.

Tips for tamarind water

This recipe makes use of dried tamarind and not fresh tamarind.
Use warm water for soaking, so as to get the maximum tamarind extract.
Prefer to use your fingers to press and crush the tamarind mixture in the strainer. If you find the tamarind mixture to be pulpy, then keep pressing and crushing till all the pulp has been extracted. Add a tbsp. of water if required. It helps to extract the pulp.

Discard the seeds and the remaining tamarind pulp in the strainer.
You can make a batch of Tamarind Water and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for around a week. In the deep freezer, it stays for 2 to 3 months.

What is tamarind?

Tamarind is a widely used spice-condiment in most south Asian cuisines including Indian and Thai cooking.
Tamarind grows in trees as a soft, dark brown coloured pod with black coloured seeds encased inside it.
The pod, which is soft, sticky and sour, is the part that is used in cooking.

The seeds are discarded.

How to select tamarind

Tamarind is available in markets all year round in small and big packets. Always check the seal of the packet.
If buying from bulk bins, make sure the bin was covered and free of dust and debris.
Check for the softness and freshness of tamarind by lightly pressing the packet. Do not buy tamarind that is too hard as it might not give enough pulp when soaked.
Check its colour. A newer stock of tamarind gives the food a more pleasant colour, while old tamarind results in a darker coloured food.

Benefits of tamarind

Tamarind is a good source of antioxidant polyphenols which exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. This can protect different organs of the body like heart, liver, skin etc.
Some research shows that it helps to lower blood cholesterol too.
It has negligible amount of fat, but on the other hand, tamarind is pretty high on calorie scale. So one needs to be very cautious about the quantity consumed.
Tamarind is a rich source of vitamin C, fibre, potassium, magnesium and other nutrients necessary for good health.
Some people are allergic to tamarind, while others may experience diarrhoea with excess consumption as imli is also known for its laxative properties.

However, tamarind is often restricted in chronic kidney and liver disease.
Also being acidic in nature, it may cause acid reflux.

How to make tamarind water

To make tamarind water recipe | imli ka pani | Indian homemade tamarind water | how to make tamarind water for sambar, add 1 tbsp tamarind (imli) in a deep bowl.
Add 1/2 cup warm water to it. We have used warm water so it is easy to get tamarind extract.
Cover it with a lid and keep aside for 30 minutes. At this stage, the tamarind pods will soften.

Now rub the tamarind well in the bowl containing water, using your fingers till all the pulp has been extracted. This would take 1 to 2 minutes.
Transfer the mixture in a strainer with a big bowl kept below. Pour the soaked tamarind mixture in the strainer and strain it.
Use a spoon or your fingers to press all the mixture in the strainer and extract all the pulp from tamarind. If you find the tamarind mixture to be still pulpy, then press and crush it till all the pulp has been extracted. Add a tbsp. of water if required. It helps to extract all the pulp.
The liquid collected in the bowl is tamarind water recipe | imli ka pani | Indian homemade tamarind water | how to make tamarind water for sambar. Use as required. Remember to discard the seeds and the remaining tamarind pulp in the strainer.