Achari

Achari Recipe – A Tangy & Spiced Delight

A flavour-packed dish featuring vegetables, chicken, or meat infused with Achari masala, delivering a rich, tangy taste. This dish is a classic Indian favourite, loved for its bold spices and distinctive pickle-like flavour.

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📌 Recipe Details

🕒 Prep Time: 30 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
⏳ Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
🍽 Servings: 4-5

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🛒 Ingredients

For Achari Masala:

• 2 tbsp mustard seeds
• 1 tbsp fennel seeds
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
• 1/2 tsp nigella seeds (kalonji)
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder (adjust to taste)
• Salt to taste

For the Achari Dish:

• 2 cups vegetables (cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, etc.) OR 500g chicken or meat
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 2 tbsp prepared Achari masala
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

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👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Achari Masala

1. Dry Roasting: Toast the mustard, fennel, cumin, coriander, fenugreek, and nigella seeds in a pan over medium heat until aromatic.
2. Cooling & Grinding: Let them cool, then grind into a fine powder.
3. Mixing Spices: In a bowl, combine the ground spices with mustard powder, turmeric, red chilli powder, and salt.

(Tip: You can also use store-bought Achari masala for convenience.)

2️⃣ Prepare the Main Dish

1. Preparation: If using vegetables, clean and chop them. If using chicken or meat, clean and cut into pieces.

3️⃣ Cook the Base

1. Heat oil in a pan and sauté onions until golden brown.
2. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
3. Stir in the tomato puree and cook until oil separates from the masala.

4️⃣ Add Achari Masala & Main Ingredient

1. Mix in 2 tbsp of Achari masala, stirring well.
2. Add vegetables, chicken, or meat, coating them with the masala.

5️⃣ Simmer & Cook

1. Add salt to taste.
2. Cook until the vegetables are tender or the meat is fully cooked, stirring occasionally.
3. Add water if needed for a gravy-style dish.

6️⃣ Garnish & Serve

1. Sprinkle fresh coriander leaves for added freshness.
2. Serve hot with naan, chapatti, or rice.

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💡 Tips for a Perfect Achari Dish

✔ For extra tanginess: Add a spoonful of pickling oil or lemon juice.
✔ For a richer taste: Use yogurt instead of tomatoes.
✔ For a vegetarian twist: Try paneer or tofu instead of meat.
✔ For meal prep: Store the cooked Achari dish in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make Achari without tomatoes?
✅ Yes! Substitute with yogurt for a creamy version.

Q: What does Achari mean?
✅ It means “pickle-like” in Urdu & Hindi, referring to its tangy and spiced flavour.

Q: Can I use ready-made Achari paste?
✅ Absolutely! You can buy Achari paste online (get it from Amazone delivered to your door) or from local stores for convenience.

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