Acar Timun

A must side dish that goes along with any briyani,/flavoured rice or even white rice.


Ingredients:-
1 large cucumber - discard the pulp, and cut into 2inch strips
1 large carrot - peeled and cut into 2inch strips
10 small round baby shallots - peel and crushed a little
1 red chilli - slashed
1 green chilli - slashed
a few slices ginger
a few cloves of garlic
1 tsp tumeric powder
2 tsp chilli powder or chilli paste
1 and 1/2 tsp mustard seeds (biji sawi)
3 tbsp of oil
1/4 cup water
3 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp sugar
salt to taste

Method:-
Sprinkle some salt generously over cucumber,carrots,ginger,chillies,shallots and garlic and leave it aside for a few hours, turning the veg now and then. The salt will leech out any excess moisture from them , making them crispier and not soggy.Drain.Heat oil, add chilli paste,mustard seeds and tumeric and saute till fragrant. Add water, vinegar, sugar and salt and stir till sugar dissolves. Add the drained veggie,stir for abt 5 mins and quickly turn off the heat. Do not overcook or veggie won't be crisp.
Sources:- From Suhana's Sweet Savoury blog