Tamarind and dates Cordial / Imli goli sharbat / tamarind squash
Childhood memories can only be cherished but the food memories of childhood can always be recreated. Everyone has a typical food, some typical taste, some fruit or something that has deep rooted in our soul during our childhood. We have such fond memories and stories linked to it.
Many of of us who have spent thier childhood in India can recall one such food memory. ‘Imli goli.’
Imli –is tamarind whereas
Goli–is small ball.
For the mid morning snack, we used to hunt for these famous sweet and sour snack from small vendors who were allowed to sell their products just outside the school. Some of my friends used to just rush and grab them before it was finished. Me being little fussy and over-conscious child, never even touched these. But I made sure to ask mum what are these and how do they taste. Mummy kept all the work aside and specially made it for me. Believe me they are addictive with the sweet , sour, spicy tastes amalgamated in tiny balls which just melts in mouth and your hands automatically head towards another one.
Cutting the long story short, I wanted to make the same one for my daughter who is unaware of all that fun we experienced back home. But the over conscious girl has become over conscious mum now. Instead of using the ‘sugar’ in the recipe , I used some juicy soft dates.It turned out very well. Just while making these ,The idea of making a drink out of this combination clicked my mind. And that was another hit.
What did I do?
The imli goli ( tamarind balls) are made up of tamarind pulp, red chilli powder, chat masala, / black salt, cumin seed powder sugar / jaggery , etc.
I just used the main ingredients in different way. Instead of sugar I have used dates to make a cordial.
What is cordial?
It is just a fancy name of squash. It is a fruit / fruit juice cooked with sugar and reduced to form a thick syrup. This can be later used when and as needed to make the drink.
I cooked the tamarind and dates until it cooks well and thickens to form a syrup.Later I added some basic masalas and ice , water to form the Tamarind dates cooler.
: Recipe Card :
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Passive Time | 30 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
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- 1/2 cup tamarind (seeds removed)
- 15 dates (I used Medjool dates) (seeds removed)
- 1/2 tsp Black salt (or Himalayan pink salt)
- 1/2 tsp Roasted cumin powder
- few springs of mint leaves for garnish
- as needed ice and water
- 2 tsp chat masala (optional)
Ingredients
|
|
- Soak dates and de seeded tamarind pulp in water for at least 2 hours.
- After 2 hours, transfer the dates, tamarind with the same soaked water to a saucepan. Boil the mixture on medium heat for 10-15 minutes. As dates and tamarind starts boiling and water evaporating, the mixture will start thickening. Switch off flame and let it cool.
- Transfer mixture to a blender , add black salt and cumin seed powder and blend to a fine paste. Strain to discard any impurities or grits.
- Store in airtight glass container and later refrigerate.It stays fresh for upto 20 days.
- When ready to make the drink, fill the serving glass with cold water and few ice cubes. Add in 2 teaspoon of cordial or more to taste and give it a quick stir. Sprinkle some chat masala or roasted cumin powder. Garnish with mint leaves or imli golis on a stick.
To make imli goli: In a blender I added some tamarind pulp, double the quantity dates, little chilli powder, salt and chat masala. Blend it till smooth and make small balss. Insert them onto a toothpick and ready to go with the drink.
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