Young tamarind (or tomatillo) dip vegan - nam prik makham orn

1. Use this as a dip for all sorts of vegetables such as small eggplants, cucumbers, summer squash, lettuce, carrots, celery, long beans, etc. With rice this can be a whole meal.

2. 1. If using tomatilloes, grill them or cook in a cast-iron pot till blackened in spots. They don't have to be completely cooked.

3. 2. Pound the vegetables together to a chunky paste (or use a food processor or blender), with the yellow bean paste.

4. 3. Mince and then fry the tempeh in oil till it is a bit brown and crispy.

5. 4. Combine and add soy sauce and sugar.

6. Recipe Type: Appetizer, Asian, Side Dish, Snack, Thai, Vegetables, Vegetarian

7. Tips
You can find frozen young tamarind pods in Asian grocery stores. Or if you live in a subtropical to tropical area tamarind is often a commonly planted ornamental.

8. Yellow bean paste is sometimes hard to find. It's in a bottle and light brown, with chunks of beans. You can use miso, or other bean pastes or soy sauces instead.