Mixed Achhar

Newari-Style Mixed Achar Recipe

This traditional Nepali Newari-style mixed achar (pickle) combines a variety of vegetables and spices for a flavorful and tangy accompaniment. It’s a staple in Newari cuisine, often served with beaten rice (chiura), curries, or lentil soups.

Ingredients

Vegetables:

• 1 cup carrots, julienned
• 1 cup radish (moola), julienned or diced
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup green peas, Soaked or pilled
• 1/2 cup boiled potatoes, diced

Spice Mix:

• 2 tbsp sesame seeds (teel)
• 1 tbsp mustard seeds
• 1 tbsp fenugreek seeds (methi)
• 2-3 dried red chilies
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp cumin powder
• 1 tbsp coriander powder

Other Ingredients:

• 3-4 green chilies, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• Juice of 2-3 lemons
• 2-3 tbsp mustard oil (preferred for authentic flavor)
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) for garnish

Instructions

1. Prep the Vegetables
   • Boil green beans lightly until tender but firm.
   • Dice or slice all the vegetables and keep them fresh or lightly steamed based on preference.
2. Toast the Seeds
   • Heat a pan and dry roast sesame seeds and mustard seeds until fragrant. Grind them into a fine powder using a grinder or mortar and pestle. Set aside.
3. Tempering the Spices
   • Heat mustard oil in a pan until it smokes slightly, then reduce the heat.
   • Add fenugreek seeds and dried red chilies. Let the fenugreek turn dark brown but not burnt.
   • Add turmeric powder and quickly pour this tempering over the vegetables.
4. Mix the Achar
   • In a mixing bowl, combine the vegetables with the tempering.
   • Add the ground sesame-mustard powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, ginger-garlic paste, green chilies, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
5. Add Lemon Juice
   • Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the achar and mix well to ensure a tangy flavor.
6. Rest and Serve
   • Let the achar sit for about 30 minutes to absorb flavors.
   • Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Tips

• For a more fermented flavor, leave the achar in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
• Adjust the spice level by adding more or fewer chilies based on your preference.
• You can also add roasted peanuts or roasted garlic cloves for good texture.

Enjoy this delicious Newari-style mixed achar with your favorite Nepali dishes!