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Yams In Tamarind Sauce

Yams are very healthy and they have a low glycemic value. But this dish will taste just as great with sweet potatoes too.

Course Gravy, Side Dish, Stew
Cuisine Indian
Diet Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword Yams
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 4 - 6 Yams washed and cut into 1 or 2 inch cubes (See pictures)
  • 1 - 2 Red Chillies use 1 or two more if you like it really spicy
  • 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
  • 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 1 tsp Hing Asafoetida
  • ½ - 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper optional
  • 1 - 2 tbsp Tamarind Paste depending upon how tangy you like it
  • 1 tsp Rice Flour to make the sauce thick
  • ¼ cup Cilantro finely chopped
  • 4 -6 Curry Leaves
  • 2 tbsp Oil Olive, Avocado, Canola, Other
  • 2 tsp Salt

Instructions

  1. Have tamarind paste ready.
    Yams in Tamarind Sauce 5-SI
  2. On medium heat, in a medium to large sauce pan, add oil. Pan can be stainless steel or a nonstick one. When oil is heated, add mustards seeds, channa dahl and red chillies. Stir fry.
  3. When mustard seeds start crackling rapidly, lower the heat and add the yams. Mix.

  4. Add 4 cups of water, turmeric, cayenne pepper, hing, curry leaves and 1 tsp salt. Water should be about an inch higher than the contents.

    Yams in Tamarind Sauce 6-SI
  5. Increase the heat to medium. Cook partially covered for 5 minutes.

  6. Uncover. Add tamarind and chopped cilantro. Add this to the mixture in the pan.

    Yams in Tamarind Sauce 1-SI
  7. Add 1 tbsp rice flour to a small bowl with half of cup of cold water and mix well. Add this to the pan on the stove.

  8. Cook for 2 minutes or until yams are cooked but firm. Yams cook quickly. Check with a toothpick. Do not overcook.

    Yams in Tamarind Sauce 4-SI
  9. If necessary, add more salt or cayenne as you wish and mix well.

    Yams in Tamarind Sauce 8-SI
  10. Serve hot on a bed of hot basmati or any long grain rice.
    Basmati Rice
  11. You can use this as a gravy for any suitable main dish.