8 oz Pitted medjool dates

    1/4 ts Red chili powder

    1/2 ts Salt

    1/4 ts Cumin powder

      3 c  Water

    1/2 ts Tamarind paste

  This recipe calls for tamarind paste, a sweet-and-sour flavoring made from
  the beanlike tamarind fruit.  If you can't find tamarind paste, add 1/2 cup
  honey and 1/2 cup vinegar to dates during cooking.
  Place dates in a medium saucepan and cover with water.  Cook until soft and
  tender, about 25 minutes.  Or cook dates for 15 minutes in a pressure
  cooker.  Set cooked dates aside to cool.
  Puree dates in small batches in a food processor or blender, adding a
  little water as needed to make a smooth paste.
  Melt tamarind and spices to pureed dates.  Stir well.  Add more water as
  needed to make a thick sauce.
  Calories per tablespoon: 13 Grams of fat: 0 % fat calories: 0 Cholesterol:
  0 mg Grams of fiber: .2

  Source: Jessica Shah in 'Delicious!', April 1994 Typed for you by Karen
  Mintzias