Recipe for Mirchi Achaar (Green Chili Pickle)

If you love spicy condiments, Mirchi Achaar (Green Chili Pickle) is the perfect addition to your meals. This traditional Indian pickle is a fiery blend of green chilies, aromatic spices, and tangy flavors that pairs wonderfully with parathas, rotis, and even rice. Here’s how you can prepare this delicious achaar at home.

Ingredients:
● 250 g fresh green chilies (medium to thick variety)

● 3 tbsp mustard seeds (rai)

● 2 tbsp fennel seeds (saunf)

● 1 tsp fenugreek seeds (methi dana)

● ½ tsp turmeric powder

● 1 tsp red chili powder

● 2 tbsp lemon juice

● ½ cup mustard oil

● Salt to taste


Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chilies

○ Wash the green chilies thoroughly and pat them dry with a clean cloth.

○ Ensure there is no moisture on the chilies, as water can spoil the pickle.

○ Slit the chilies lengthwise without cutting them into halves completely.

2. Roast and Grind Spices

○ Dry roast mustard seeds, fennel seeds, and fenugreek seeds for 1-2 minutes on low heat until aromatic.

○ Let them cool, then grind them coarsely.

3. Stuff the Chilies

○ In a bowl, mix the ground spices, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.

○ Add lemon juice to the mixture to make a coarse paste.

○ Carefully stuff this spice mix inside the slit green chilies.

4. Prepare the Oil

○ Heat mustard oil in a pan until it starts smoking.

○ Turn off the heat and let it cool slightly.

5. Combine and Store

○ Place the stuffed chilies in a clean, dry glass jar.

○ Pour the cooled mustard oil over the chilies until they are completely submerged.

○ Seal the jar and keep it in a warm place for 2-3 days to allow the flavors to mature.

○ Shake the jar once a day to distribute the spices evenly.


Serving Suggestions:
Your homemade Mirchi Achaar will be ready in about 3-4 days. Enjoy it with hot parathas, dal-chawal, or curd rice for an extra punch of flavor.