Steenbergs Tamarind Concentrate is a great way to use tamarind.  Steenbergs tamarind is made from tamarind pulp and water that has been boiled down to concentrate it into a thick, deep black paste.  To use: simply follow many recipes which are often worked to use tamarind paste, but if not dilute on the basis of 1tbsp to 3tbsp of water for 4tbsp of paste.  Tamarind's flavour is acidic, so you get an initial refreshing sourness followed by a ripe sweetness of tropical fruit.  Steenbergs tamarind comes from India.