Tamarind Balls

                                                                               Receta en Español

This is one of the most popular desserts in Barbados, it is very easy to prepare and it has the 'sweet and sour' taste, a popular flavour in most of the dishes made in Barbados!.

Ingredients:

•   100 grams tamarind pulp.
•   150 grams white sugar.
•   1 table spoon flour.
•    Pepper.
•    Salt.
•    Brown Sugar.

Method:

1-  It is better if you buy tamarind pulp, if you have the fruit itself you should get rid of the skin and seeds.

Mix all the ingredients (except the brown sugar) in a bowl.

Tamarind pulp is acid and sticky , to mix well sugar with the pulp , it is better to use a food processor, it should be well mixed to soften the acidity of the tamarind.

2-  Take little by little some dough and make little balls. Put some brown sugar in a plate ,make the balls roll over the sugar, this is how they should be:

My comments to the Recipe:

It is very easy, but bear in mind that you should mix well , use a thin sugar to mix with the pulp, after that, the brown sugar to wrap the ball can be as thick as you want.



Barbados

Veal with tamarind sauce (Antigua and Barbuda)

                                                                                                                      Receta en Español

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• 225 g chopped mushrooms.
• 1 bunch of chopped chives.
• 2  tablespoon of soy sauce.
• ½ tablespoon sweet or hot paprika.
• 2 tablespoon parsley.
• 4 veal loin steak.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin.
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional).
• 1 chopped small onion.
• 3 chopped garlic cloves.
• 1 dessert spoon cornstarch.
• 1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate.  

Method:

1.       Pour oil in a pan and sautée onions and chives for 3 minutes.

2.       Add soy sauce and paprika , cook for 5 more minutes.

3.       Add parseley and set everything apart.

4.       Mix coriander, cumin and red pepper flakes, sprinkle over the meat.

5.       Take a tablespoon of the prepared mix of mushrooms and chives , place it in the middle of one steak, roll the steak leaving mushrooms in the inner side , use sticks to close the meat rolls.

6.       Fry for 5 minutes, set apart.

7.       In a pan  Sautée onion and garlic for 5 minutes.

8.       Add tamarind and cornstarch.

9.       Cook for 2 minutes.

10.   Serve steaks covered with the sauce cooked in numbers 7,8,9.

My comments to the recipe:

I find amazing the bittersweet taste of tamarind! , tamarind and meat are a perfect match.

Where to find the ingredients:

I bought concentrate of tamarind at desi gourmet   (Ricardo Ortiz 24, Madrid).
It is very strong , you should use just a Little of the concentrate.

Here you have a link to my favourite cooking tools where you can find my spices grinder:  

Favourite cooking tools

Antigua and Barbuda