THE TAMARIND CHALLENGE: JANUARY PEN PALS GUEST POST

So this month, I feel like I was very mean to my pen pal, Victoria, who was very sweet to me. She sent me some shallots and a 21 Seasoning Salute spice blend from Trader Joes, which I used to make a Champagne Salad for my best friend. I sent Victoria an ingredient that I've always wanted to experiment with, but was too lazy to try. Tamarindo beans. While technically a legume, the pulp inside can be used as a paleo ingredient. I was very excited to see what she came up with, and she did not disappoint! I can't wait to try this dish! I guess you could call it a Tamarind pad Thai?

If you still haven't heard about Paleo Pen Pals, check out my intro post and our facebook page. Hurry and sign up to be a part of next month's swap!!

Here is Victoria's AWESOME guest post:

I was so excited to hear about Paleo PenPals I couldn't wait to sign up. This was my first month, and how lucky was I that I got paired up with Brittanie! 

I was a little nervous when I received her package… inside was a sweet note and a bag of what I thought… actually, I don't know what I thought. Inside was a bean/pod I had never seen before. I was told in my letter that they were Tamarind pods. In their raw form they look like a brown snow pea. They have a flakey exterior and a hardish bean inside. 

I was told the pulp around the exterior of the plant is Paleo so I got to Google'n and found how to prepare this dish. After some research I found an amazing tutorial video of exactly how to prepare it! Most recipes I came across were Pad-thai related, more traditional Non-paleo recipes also included Tamarind. So I figured what the heck! I think a lot of people leave it out because they don’t' know where to find it! I was excited to create a more traditional dish that I've missed since going paleo. 

First, I removed the pulb from the pods… to do this you soak the entire pod inside a small bowl of warm water (get ready to get messy!) mush it around until you feel the insides getting soft.. Then press it through a metal strainer to get out the "pulp". The taste is a bit tangy but this is what adds to your dish! (this is also used in a lot of curry dishes). 

•  2 Cups Spaghetti Squash (you can also used Zucchini noodles!)

•  Protein of choice (I used diced leftover chicken)

•  1 T fat of choice (for sauté)

•  1 cup scallions, chopped

•  3 eggs beaten

•  4 Cloves of garlic, minced

•  1 T apple cider vinegar

•  2 T tamarind pulp

•  1-2 T fresh ginger, grated

•  4 T almond butter (or sunbutter)

•  1 T chili flakes

•  1 T fish sauce

•  Juice of one lime (for garnish)

•  Cilantro (for garnish)

•  Optional – bean sprouts (I had some on hand and gave it a nice crunch!)

1.Cook your spaghetti squash – I like the cut in half, face down method, bake until tender. String and set aside. 

2.In a pan heat your butter or oil. Add beaten eggs, scallions and garlic. Scramble up. 

3.Add everything else! (aside from garnish – Cilantro, lime juice or anything else you want on top!)

I'd really like to experiment more with this recipe – there are SO many out there so find what you like! :) I definitely see a lot of praises for the tamarind pulp and agree, it really makes the dish! If you're not one for experimenting I see they also sell the pre-packaged pulp in the grocery store! Enjoy!