Namaste Nepalese Kitchen – Achar

Achar – Nepalese Slaw

This tasty side dish is one of our favorites. Known as Achar or Pickle, it is often made during Festival time or for a special occasion and is served along side spiced meat dishes, vegetable curries and other festival food.

We make this dish often in our house and it is so versatile.

We call it Nepalese Slaw as the base ingredients are so similar to coleslaw.

We often serve it as a side with fish or with breads, cheese, olives as a mini picnic.

Ingredients:

1/2  Whole Cucumber

3 Medium sized Carrots

1/2  Whole Cabbage

3 Medium sized Potatoes (cooked and cooled)

1/2 Whole Lemon

2 Tablespoons of Sesame seeds

Salt to taste

For Dressing:

1 Tablespoon of Oil (we use Organic Cold-Pressed Rapeseed Oil)

Pinch – Mustard Seeds

1 Teaspoon Tumeric

1/2 Teaspoon Garam Masala

Green Chillies ( 1 or 2 depending on how hot you like it!) – Finely chopped

Method:

Finely slice the Carrots, Cucumber and Cabbage (like coleslaw).

Boil/Steam the Potatoes in their skins. Allow to cool and peel.

Dry fry/roast the Sesame seeds on a frying pan until they slightly brown (just a few seconds) and then grind with a mortar and pestle (this step is important as the roasted seeds give the Achar it’s distinct flavour)

Put all these ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Add salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon or so).

To make the spiced dressing:

Heat the oil in a small pot

Add the pinch of Mustard seeds and allow to cook for just a few seconds

Add the Tumeric and Garam Masala

Add the Green Chillies

Fry together quickly for 5-10 seconds then immediately pour over the vegetables

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Mix/Squash all the ingredients together until well integrated

Add a little water if needed

Squeeze 1/2 Fresh whole Lemon over the Achar and mix in well.

 

Namaste And Enjoy!

Jennifer Walsh-Rupakheti

 

You might like Namaste Nepalese Kitchen – Jaulo

You might also like Namaste Nepalese Kitchen – Khir