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Shrimp and Avocado in Tamarind Sauce

[heart_this] · Jul 16, 2008 · 39 Comments

Shrimp and Avocado in Tamarind Sauce

A long time ago I picked up a small jar of tamarind concentrate to try. Since the one time that I used it, it has been sitting at the back of my fridge, forgotten. I recently came across a recipe for shrimp and avocados in a tamarind sauce that sounded good and reminded me of that little jar of tamarind concentrate lost in my fridge. Tamarind is tart and it works well in dishes where you are trying to get a nice balance of sweet, salty, sour and spicy. The prawn and avocados in a tamarind sauce came together quickly and easily. This dish was pretty tasty and I really enjoyed the tamarind flavour. The avocado added a nice coolness and creaminess to the dish. Jasmine rice is quickly becoming one of my favorite rices for its aroma and flavour and I enjoy cooking it in coconut milk to add an extra layer of flavour. I served this dish on coconut jasmine rice and the tamarind sauce mixed in with the coconut rice was a nice flavour combination. I am looking forward to using tamarind again and I will have to keep an eye out to see if I can see some fresh tamarind to try.

Shrimp and Avocado in Tamarind Sauce

Shrimp and Avocado in Tamarind Sauce

Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Servings: 4
ingredients
  • 1 pound shrimp (peeled and deviened)
  • 2 tablespoons tamarind concentrate
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 shallot (chopped)
  • 1 clove garlic (grated)
  • 1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
  • 2 avocados (peeled, stoned and cut into bite sized pieces)
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro (chopped)
directions
  1. Marinate the shrimp in the tamarind, fish sauce, brown sugar, lime juice and chili sauce for 5 minutes.
  2. Heat the oil in a pan.
  3. Add the shallot and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the garlic and ginger and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  5. Add the shrimp and marinade and simmer until the shrimp is cooked, about 1-3 minutes. (If you want a more liquidy sauce you can add some water.)
  6. Remove from heat and stir in the avocado and cilantro.
Similar Recipes:
Thai Lemon Shrimp
Tequila Lime Shrimp
Orange Chipotle Shrimp
Tilapia Baked in Tamarind Sauce
Pad Thai

Avocado, Food, Gluten-free, Low-carb, Main Course, Recipe, Seafood, Shrimp

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jan says

    July 16, 2008 at 10:57 pm

    That looks and sounds fab, Kevin.

    Reply
  2. VeggieGirl says

    July 16, 2008 at 11:37 pm

    Never used tamarind before – sounds like a great addition for flavor!

    Reply
  3. [eatingclub] vancouver || js says

    July 16, 2008 at 11:46 pm

    Looks good. Tamarind, I find, is one of those wonder ingredients that really transform a dish.

    I wouldn’t want to discourage you from fresh tamarind, but they are a lot of work. As in, they can take a good couple of hours to peel, soak, and wring. Concentrate is probably the best way to go. Or, if you want something closer to the soaking and wringing experience, a block of tamarind pulp. We have some pictures up on our blog of TS preparing some tamarind here: http://eatingclubvancouver.blogspot.com/2008/03/pad-thai.html

    Other tamarind dishes:
    http://eatingclubvancouver.blogspot.com/search/label/tamarind

    Reply
  4. Peter M says

    July 16, 2008 at 11:55 pm

    Kevin, you do Asian dishes so well, the deep red in the shrimp looks so good. The avocado makes this nice and buttery.

    Reply
  5. maybelles parents says

    July 17, 2008 at 12:13 am

    tamarind is often used in Indian food. It makes me think I should make and post some tamarind rice.

    Reply
  6. Helene says

    July 17, 2008 at 12:23 am

    I never bought Tamarind. I wonder how it taste like. This recipe looks perfect for a warm weather that we have today.

    Reply
  7. Lina says

    July 17, 2008 at 1:06 am

    I never used tamarind before either. Im not even sure that Ive even eaten it before… but that combination of shrimp and avocado looks perfect!

    Reply
  8. Bridgett says

    July 17, 2008 at 2:06 am

    I love shrimp, love jasmine rice, love avocado…I think I will have to try this one soon. Looks fantastic, Kevin!

    Reply
  9. Mrs Ergül says

    July 17, 2008 at 2:25 am

    I really like it that you cook such a wide variety of cuisine! I have not used tamarind before too, gotta try this someday!

    Reply
  10. Paula says

    July 17, 2008 at 2:49 am

    That looks terrific! Your creations are always so beautiful to look at, and I bet this tastes as good as it looks! Yum!

    Reply
  11. Erin @ The Skinny Gourmet says

    July 17, 2008 at 3:23 am

    The tamarind sauce sounds unusual and mouthwatering. well done!

    Reply
  12. Proud Italian Cook says

    July 17, 2008 at 3:29 am

    Kevin, You too should quit your day job!

    Reply
  13. zlamushka says

    July 17, 2008 at 4:03 am

    Hey I see you around What´s For Lunch, Honey a lot? Great blog, eh? I am hosting an event dedicated to trying foods from other bloggers. Meeta is in the spotlight for July. I really hope you can participate 🙂

    Reply
  14. noble pig says

    July 17, 2008 at 4:04 am

    Oh yum, what a great sauce!

    Reply
  15. Tartelette says

    July 17, 2008 at 4:25 am

    That looks delicious and the tamarind sauce goes just perfect with it all!

    Reply
  16. Dee says

    July 17, 2008 at 4:52 am

    Kevin, this looks like the kind of thing that will go down just right in my family 🙂

    I cooked a risotto last night, and made extras so I could try your Arancini recipe. Wish me luck!

    Reply
  17. Jan says

    July 17, 2008 at 6:51 am

    Looks great – I have a jar of tamarind. I must have a go at that, it looks really yummy.

    Reply
  18. tigerfish says

    July 17, 2008 at 9:06 am

    I’ve tried making tamarind shrimps, so I know this is good or even better!

    Reply
  19. Manggy says

    July 17, 2008 at 9:16 am

    That is fantastic, Kevin– shrimp with the amalgamation of flavors in nuoc me chua is just dreamy 🙂 You should try making pad thai!

    I would not want to use fresh tamarind, though, it’s such a pain!

    Reply
  20. Mochachocolata Rita says

    July 17, 2008 at 9:20 am

    Say tamarind and I shall be there 🙂

    Reply
  21. whoisneha says

    July 17, 2008 at 10:14 am

    tamarind is one of the common spices that we add in Indian food, but never before did I think that using it is a “lot of work”! Actually I simply buy the fresh tamarind without the hard rind..but with all the stone pits and most fibres. Soak it in warm water (if in a hurry) for 5 mins, squeeze it in my hands..to get the pulp:)
    ur lovely dish reminds me of typical south-indian dish..yummy:)

    Reply
  22. Fearless Kitchen says

    July 17, 2008 at 10:56 am

    This looks really tasty, and not overly complicated. I love the flavor of tamarind, but I don’t think I’ve ever tried it with avocado.

    Reply
  23. Dhanggit says

    July 17, 2008 at 11:20 am

    i never imagine that shrimp, avocado and tamarind will sound this yummy together!! i love it

    Reply
  24. Bruno says

    July 17, 2008 at 12:58 pm

    Well that looks positively wonderful. Where can I find tamarind concentrate?

    Reply
  25. Deborah says

    July 17, 2008 at 3:39 pm

    I’ve never tried tamarind concentrate – I’ll have to keep my eyes open for it. And jasmine rice is my all-time favorite – so much flavor!

    Reply
  26. Dawn says

    July 17, 2008 at 3:53 pm

    I, too, have never used tamarind sauce. Where did you find yours?
    That dish looks amazing. You are such a great cook Kevin.
    What cookbooks do you frequent?

    Reply
  27. Elra says

    July 17, 2008 at 4:01 pm

    Another superb recipe!
    Nothing beat the fresh tamarind. I hope you’ll be able to find the fresh one, it taste way better and quite different.

    Reply
  28. Lisa says

    July 17, 2008 at 4:21 pm

    Looks good! Interesting combination.

    Reply
  29. Elle says

    July 17, 2008 at 4:55 pm

    I’ve never tried tamarind before, but this looks like a great way to start, Kevin!

    Reply
  30. Cynthia says

    July 17, 2008 at 5:32 pm

    I love your combination of flavours and textures in this dish.

    Reply
  31. Dragon says

    July 17, 2008 at 8:45 pm

    I adore tamarind! Your shrimp look so plump and juicy. Yum.

    Reply
  32. Gloria says

    July 17, 2008 at 10:15 pm

    We love to eat shrimp with avocado Kevin, is really tasty, this dish look wonderful!! xGloria

    Reply
  33. meeso says

    July 17, 2008 at 10:53 pm

    This is a really pretty dish, and sounds good, as I love the flavor of tamarind!

    Reply
  34. Kevin says

    July 17, 2008 at 11:16 pm

    Bruno: I found the tamarind concentrate at a local Asian grocery store. You should also be able to find it at an Indian grocery store.

    Reply
  35. Kevin says

    July 17, 2008 at 11:33 pm

    Dawn: See my the last comment for finding the tamarind concentrate. As for cookbooks, I am now finding so much great material online that I have not had much time for cookbooks. When I first started cooking I was really into Japanese food and I picked up and really enjoyed a couple of Japanese cookbooks. I then moved onto a few Italian cookbooks, etc.

    Reply
  36. Jeena says

    July 17, 2008 at 11:54 pm

    Fabulous combination it looks delicious.

    Reply
  37. meet me at mikes. a happy place for crafty types says

    July 18, 2008 at 10:19 am

    Please come to my house and cook dinner for me! I love tamarind! I will provide some nice wine and pleasant witty conversation… and my husband won’t mind.. he likes tamarind too.. and the kids… they can have rice and soy… they like that… Whaddaya say?!

    Really – a lovely dish. Good job!

    Reply
  38. Jaime says

    July 24, 2008 at 12:44 am

    i love tamarind. i’ve never had avocados with shrimp but someone else suggested that combo after i posted the guacamole on my blog. i’ll have to try this!

    Reply
  39. Rhian says

    August 17, 2008 at 11:59 pm

    Hi Kevin, I made your dish a couple of nights ago and turned out really good! Thanks so much for sharing. The only thing that I had to change is the quantity of Tamarind, I thought it was a little much, which may make this dish too sour. I added one table spoon and had to increase the sugar to 2 table spoon. Next time I make it, I will use one tsp and I believe it will be good, at least for my taste 🙂 In our cuisine, and I am from Baghdad by the way, we use tamarind with dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) to give the dish an interesting kick without having to add a lot of lemon juice.
    I really like your blog, it is very neat and deliciously attractive. I am looking forward to trying your other recipe (Tilapia with pesto and roasted tomato). Have good evening!

    Reply

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