Makes about 1¼ cups

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon fennel seeds
½ teaspoon asafetida (optional)
½ teaspoon Garam Masala
2 cups water
1¼ cups sugar
3 tablespoons tamarind concentrate

DIRECTIONS

Heat the oil and spices in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, and cook until the spices are fragrant and lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Whisk in the water, sugar, and tamarind concentrate until completely dissolved, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium, and simmer until the sauce turns the color of chocolate and is thick enough to leave a trail on the back of a spoon, 20 to 30 minutes. (While still warm it will look like chocolate sauce, and it will thicken a bit as it cools.) Taste for seasoning, transfer to a covered plastic container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or ladle into dry and sterilized jars and can according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

© Recipe Property of Suvir Saran