Sweet Tamarind sauce - Imli ki chutney

Cannot imagine chaats without Imli ki chutney and when you have this chutney ready, chaats can be made in no-time at any short notice demands from your little-ones.
Other than chaats it is an excellent accompaniment as a dip for any kind of pakoda, chips, cutlets, boiled potatoes etc....

One day I just mixed 1 tbsp of this sauce in chilled water, added some more salt and cumin powder and gave it my daughter, Since then its her favorite drink.






This recipe can be stored at room temperature for more than a year.

250 g tamarind
3 cups sugar
1 tbsp rock salt
1 tsp plain salt
2 tsp black pepper powder
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp kalonji
2 tbsp cumin seeds
1/4 cup pitted and sliced dates
handful of broken cashew nuts and raisins(optional)

1.  Soak the tamarind for about 30 min-1 hr in enough warm water. Mash the tamarind and strain to extract the pulp. 
2. Add some more water to the tamarind , mash and strain. Repeat this process until all the pulp is extracted from the tamarind. This will give you near about 1 1/2 litre of tamarind extract.
3. Now add sugar and switch on the gas. Stir on medium flame until all the sugar dissolves in it.
4. Simmer for about 10-15 min. Keep a check on its consistency, it should be less than 1 thread consistency. It doesn't matter even if it looks a little watery, when cool it will turn thick and saucy.
5.  Add Remaining ingredients and bring it to a boil.
6. Cool and store in sterilized bottles.