This coleslaw recipe is influenced by the wonderful Angelique who looked after me last year when I was staying at the Hyatt in Trinidad. We chatted every night about food and recipes and when she said that she had recently used Tamarind in a coleslaw recipe I was intrigued.
The Chief Taster was scheduled to visit Trinidad on a course and as soon as he said he was staying in a Hyatt hotel I was packing my overnight bag to join him (Dubai has spoilt me with their wonderful Hyatt's and we don't have any in Barbados). Wow, that sentence sounded like a spoilt diva, but hey, yes I am!!
However, since he was on a training course it meant that most evenings he was out for dinner with his colleagues and I was left to dine alone in the Waterfront restaurant, trying not to look like a high-class hooker. The food there was amazing and the dessert menu alone would make a grown woman cry. All of the staff were so friendly and made me feel at ease whilst I dined alone. The lovely Angelique guided me through the menu with her recommendations and we got talking about food and recipes, which is how we came to discussing using Tamarind.
Tamarind Pods
Tamarind is used in Asian and Caribbean cooking but although I have always seen it in the shops had never experimented with it. Tamarind balls are sold here on the island but they are a fist full of sugar so I avoid them. Tamarind trees produce an abundance of long, curved, brown pods filled with small brown seeds, surrounded by a sticky pulp that dehydrates naturally to a sticky paste. They are a bit like dates in texture and the pods look a bit like huge, brown, overly mature green beans.
I am actually lucky enough to have a tamarind tree in my garden and recently picked what was left (the monkeys visit and snack on the pods when ripe). As an aside, I still get excited when I see a monkey in our garden and the morning cry of "monkey!!" still disturbs the neighbours! Our mango tree looks like it is producing a bumper crop this year so it should be monkeys galore for me soon!
I used tamarind as a flavouring with the coleslaw for a salty, tangy flavour. I added chillies and lime to give it a sharper taste but added some mint to freshen up any sharpness. You could also use coriander in place of the mint. I hope you enjoy it and a big thanks for Angelique for inspiring me to pick up the tamarind pods and to experiment with them! If you are ever visiting Trinidad, pop in to the Hyatt and say hi to her!
Tamarind Coleslaw
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Ingredients
- 1 Green chilli deseeded & chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2-3 spring onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 teaspoon Fresh Tamarind
- 2 Cherry tomatoes for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ Carrot grated
Instructions
- Mash the tamarind with the coconut oil into a paste.
- Add the lime juice and chilli. Blend to make a dressing.
- In a bowl place the cabbage, carrots and onion.
- Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and coat well.
- Season to taste and add the fresh mint.
- Garnish with the tomatoes.
- Eat and enjoy!
Notes
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
Elaine @ foodbod
That's so cool! A tamarind tree in your garden? And monkeys??? Very cool 🙂
Angela Coleby
I've also got a massive mango tree which looks like there will be a bumper crop this year. Which means monkey's galore!
Elaine @ foodbod
Where do you live??
Angela Coleby
Currently live in Barbados...
Elaine @ foodbod
Cool! What took you there?
Angela Coleby
The husband's job. It's meant that we have lived in Dubai, now Barabados and who knows where next! Also why I have plate envy with your lovely bowls..my kitchen needs to be limited for future shipping costs! Plus anything decent here is very expensive! And limited. I miss shopping...
Elaine @ foodbod
Oh wow! What great experiences...;)
So funny, when I lived in Dubai, it wasn't the shopping paradise it is now! How things change..
Angela Coleby
ooh - when did you live there! Wondered if our paths crossed! Small world! I was there from 2007-2012.
Elaine @ foodbod
Some time before you...I lived there full time from 1984-1989, when I left to come back to the UK and go to college; my parents remained in the UAE so I still visited/visit regularly ever since. My Mum is now in Abu Dhabi, so the place remains in my life, as well as my heart..
Angela Coleby
Just loved the place too! Lucky you being able to visit regularly too!
Elaine @ foodbod
Yes and no, I hate seeing what they've done to the place!