"Aaluko Achar" means a radish pickle, and it is one of the traditional Nepali pickles prepared with radish, usually black radish, with a mixture of spices. The following is a simple recipe for preparing Aaluko Achar:
Ingredients:
- Radish, black preferred: 1 large, about 500 g
- Sesame seeds: 2-3 tablespoons
- Fenugreek seeds: 1 teaspoon
- Turmeric powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Red chili powder: 1-2 teaspoons, adjust to taste
- Mustard oil: 2-3 tablespoons
- Salt, to taste
- Lemon juice or Vinegar: 2-3 tablespoons
- Asafoetida, Hing: a pinch
- Green chilies: 2-3, optional, for extra heat
- Fresh coriander leaves: a handful, chopped, optional
Instructions:
Radish Preparation:
- Peel and wash the radish well.
- Cut it into thin strips or grate it coarsely, whichever you may prefer.
- Spread the radish on a tray and sun-dry it for a few hours. This will make it a little wilted, thus losing some moisture. This step may reduce the odour of the strong-smelling vegetable and make it edible.
Roast Sesame Seeds:
- Dry roast the sesame seeds in a dry pan till golden in colour, fragrant.
- Let them cool and then grind them to a coarse powder in a mortar and pestle or a grinder. Tempering:
- Heat the mustard oil in a pan till it smokes, then lower the heat.
- Add the fenugreek seeds and let them turn dark brown but not burnt.
- Now, add a pinch of asafoetida and turmeric powder to the oil.
- Add immediately the dried radish and mix well so that the spiced oil coats the radish well.
Mixing:
- Switch off the heat and transfer the radish into a mixing bowl.
- Add roasted sesame powder, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Add lemon juice or vinegar for tanginess and mix again.
- Now, you can also add chopped green chilies and fresh coriander leaves if you want.
Marination:
- Now, let the pickle rest for some hours or overnight. So that flavors may combine.
- Stored the Aaluko Achar in an absolutely clean and tight-mouthed jar. Keep it in the fridge and use it within weeks.
Serving :
This achar tastes excellent with rice, lentils, and curry; it may be consumed with tandoori-type flatbreads or even with snacks.
Relish your homemade Aaluko Achar!