Tamarind – a sweet, sour and sticky tropical fruit enclosed in a bean-like pod – is native to tropical Africa. Today, it is extensively cultivated in many subtropical and tropical regions across the globe. Our tamarind-date sauce is inspired by Shidni, a delicious and irresistible Somali chutney usually reserved for special occasions such as feasts. Shidni has many variations but the base recipe usually calls for a combination of either tamarind and dates or tamarind and mangoes – seasoned with xawaash (a Somali spice blend).
In our version, sweet dates and tart tamarind are simmered for hours in a fragrant infusion of fresh ginger, garlic, bell peppers and cilantro; then seasoned generously with an exotic spice blend that includes cardamom, cloves and star anise. The result is a bold and tantalizing sauce that is slightly sweet, sour, savory, and spicy – all at once. It’s hard to resist!
Mombasa is our most dynamic sauce. It’s a great starting point for Thiou, a perfect substitute for enchilada or barbecue sauce, and makes the most delicious AfroBeats Pad Thai to rival any restaurant version.