Achar

Never really like vegetables especially raw carrots and cauliflower but after eating mom's achar and the one Anirda made was great. After returning from Spore and to eat Mom's achar again make me crave for more. With no choice but got to make a call to Mom to ask for the recipe. So here you go, it is easy only the cutting part take up more time.

Ingredients:

• 3 - 5             Cucumbers
• 2 -3              Carrots
• 450gm          Cauliflower
• 200gm          Cabbage
• 1stalk            Serai (Lemongrass ) smashed
• 0.3cm            Lengkuas (Galanga ) smashed
• 200-300ml     Vinegar  ( Can add more to taste )
• 4 - 6tbsp       Sugar ( Can add more to taste )
• 3 - 4 tbsp      Oil
• 2 - 3tbsp       Sesame seeds
• 80 - 100gm   Peanuts

Paste:

• 10 - 15          Shallots onion
• 8 - 12            Dried Chilies (Soaked & unseeded)
• 6 - 8              Cloves garlic
• 3 - 5              Candlenuts
• 1cm/1tsp       Kunyit (Turmeric)

Methods:

1. Cut the cucumber into stripes and remove the seeds.
2. Then cut about 2.5cm lengthwise.
3. Add some salt to it in a bowl and leave it aside till it release water.
4. Rinse it under running water and leave it to dry.
5. Skin the carrot and cut it into stripes.
6. Then cut about 2.5cm lengthwise.
7. Cut the cauliflower into smaller pieces.
8. Use hot water to scald it.
9. Cut the cabbage about 2.5cm lengthwise with about 1cm wide.
10. Roast the peanuts and blend it coarse.
11. Roast sesame seeds
12. Blend the ingredients under paste
13. Heat up the oil and fry the paste together with serai & lengkuas till fragrant.
14. Add in the sugar and vinegar.
15. Allow it to boil.
16. Lower the heat and add in the vegetable.
17. Toss it around and cook it for 5 mins. ( Do not cook it for too long )
18. Add in the sesame seeds and peanuts.

Note: To be able to keep it for a longer period, on the 1st day leave it outside. Only put in the fridge from the 2nd day onwards and only use a very dry spoon each time.