Tamarind Date Chutney

INGREDIENTS:

•½ cup tightly packed seedless tamarind
•½ cup seedless dates
•½ cup powdered or grated jaggery or as required - adjust as per your taste
•2 cups water
•½ tsp roasted cumin powder
•½ tsp coriander powder
•½ tsp dry ginger powder
•¼ or ½ tsp red chili powder or 1 dry red chili * see notes
•black salt or rock salt as required.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1.in a pan, take the tamarind, dates and water.
2.cook the tamarind and date for about 8-9 minutes on a low flame till they soften.
3.now add the powdered jaggery and continue to cook.
4.let the jaggery dissolve and the mixture thicken a bit.
5.add all the spice powders - red chili powder, coriander powder, dry ginger powder and roasted cumin powder.
6.stir & simmer for a further 1-2 minutes more.
7.season with salt.
8.let the chutney mixture cool down.
9.in a chutney grinder or small blender, grind the this whole mixture till smooth.
10.add some water if required while grinding.
11.strain the chutney through a strainer.
12.store the tamarind date chutney in an airtight bowl or container in the refrigerator and use it when you make chaat at home.