Name: Tamarind Dipping Sauce
Yield: Makes about 2 cups
Ingredients: 5 ounces tamarind pulp; 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons cold water; 1 piece (1 inch) fresh ginger, peeled and grated; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tablespoons sugar, or more to taste; 1 tablespoon chili-garlic sauce (sambal oelek); 2 teaspoons Thai fish sauce (nam pla); 1 teaspoon good-quality soy sauce, such as Kikkoman; 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Photo of spring rolls with tamarind dipping sauce.

Photo by Joseph De Leo

This recipe originally accompanied Vidalia Onion Fritters with Tamarind Dipping Sauce.

Tamarind water gives this very nicely balanced tart-yet-sweet dipping sauce its lovely deep orange color and unusual flavor. The sauce is delicious with Vidalia Onion Fritters and other fried foods.

Recipe notes

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