Chef’s Dish: At Mish Mish, Fried Armenian String Cheese Sets the Fun, Casual Vibe | culture: the wor

Ingredients

• 2 28-ounce cans peeled whole tomatoes
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons tamarind paste
• 2 jalapeño peppers, (stems and seeds removed )
• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• Half-inch piece fresh ginger, (peeled and chopped)
• 1/2 Spanish onion, (peeled and chopped)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Juice of 1½ large lemons , (about 1/3 cup)
• Pinch Aleppo pepper
• Kosher salt, (to taste)
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons nigella seeds
• 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon Aleppo pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon sumac
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 cup light beer ((the restaurant uses Miller High Life))
• 1/2 cup unflavored vodka ((use an inexpensive brand))
• Kosher salt, to taste
• 1 braid of Armenian string cheese, (separated into 4 thick ropes )
• Vegetable oil, (for frying)