DRIED TAMARIND RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions, then drain and refresh under cold running water and toss with 1 teaspoon of sesame oil.
  2. Lightly toast the peanuts in a large non-stick frying pan on a medium heat until golden, then bash in a pestle and mortar until fine, and tip into a bowl.
  3. Peel the garlic and bash to a paste with the tofu, add 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of soy, the tamarind paste and chilli sauce, then squeeze and muddle in half the lime juice.
  4. Peel and finely slice the shallot, then place in the frying pan over a high heat. Trim, prep and slice the crunchy veg, as necessary, then dry-fry for 4 minutes, or until lightly charred (to bring out a nutty, slightly smoky flavour).
  5. Add the noodles, sauce, beansprouts, and a good splash of water, toss together over the heat for 1 minute, then divide between serving bowls.
  6. Wipe out the pan, crack in the eggs and cook to your liking in a little olive oil, sprinkling with a pinch of chilli flakes. Trim the lettuce, click apart the leaves and place a few in each bowl.
  7. Pop the eggs on top, pick over the herbs, and sprinkle with the nuts. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over, and extra soy, to taste.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Mix the tamarind paste with the lime, sugar, salt, chilli powder, turmeric, garlic and ginger. Add enough water – you won’t need much – to make sufficient marinade to coat the four pieces of fish. Turn the salmon over in the marinade, making sure it gets well coated, cover and put in the fridge for 1 hr (or 30 mins is fine if you’re in a rush).
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan and add the chillies. Fry over a medium heat for 30-40 secs, then add the salmon fillets. Brown the fillets on each side (including the skin), then transfer them to a roasting tin. Spoon some of the chilli oil from the pan over them. Bake in the oven for 12 mins, or until the fish is cooked right through to the centre (check with the tip of a knife). Serve with rice, lime wedges and an Indian chutney.