Chefs: anyone use Tamarind?

[bleckywelcky]

I'm planning on mixing up some Tamarind sauce because it sounded pretty good, but I've never actually used Tamarind. As far as I can tell, the local major grocers don't carry Tamarind, and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with it and whether or not you could easily find it in the northwest U.S. (I think it's more of a southwest ingredient), perhaps at a specialty food chain or even just local planters. And tack on any advice you may suggest in handling this ingredient. I need this to dip some lobster in, mmmm.

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[ScrapSilicon]

ethnic Indian store

 

[911paramedic]

Tamarind Concentrate, 19.4 oz jar

 

[xuanman]

tamarind is so good!

 

[Ameesh]

my mom uses it in her cooking often, try going to an (asian)indian grocery store.

 

[amnesiac]

most ethnic grocery stores have them. Your best bet is tamarind paste.

 

[heartsurgeon]

should be cheap to buy, around or less than $5 for a jar of concentrate.

 

[eplebnista]

anyone use Tamarind?

No.

 

[Maverick]

cheapest (and best way IMHO) is to get dry tamarind and soak it. Soak it in water for a while and squeeze the juice out of it. Then strain some of the water and freeze it. When you want to use some just thaw it out and put the rest back in the freezer. This way it stays good for months without the preservatives of the paste. Get all tamarind products at an Indian grocery. Prices are really cheap for spices there.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

lunchtime