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

Mintzias