It’s funny how when we live at home with our parents we take so much for granted. It’s only after I got married a little over 4 years ago that I realized how much I would come to miss my mom’s cooking. Her everyday meals, the kinds that I would otherwise say to, “not that again!” are the kinds that I miss the most. When I went to visit California this past January, I made it a point to grab a notebook and pen, and write down recipes to many of her dishes. I also made it a point to hand my mom a teaspoon because she likes to cook by andaaza (translation: estimating/eyeballing it) and there is no way I can recreate her culinary goodness by andaaza LOL.
This carrot pickle/relish, or gajar achar, is a condiment that was almost always present when I was growing up. We love to have it as a side with almost any Indian/Pakistani main meal. It’s very easy to whip up and keeps very well in the refrigerator.
Mummi’s Gajar Achar
Yield: 3 Cups
Ingredients:
- 4 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch matchsticks
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 2 tablespoons oil
- Handful cilantro, chopped
Directions:
Combine carrots, coriander powder, red chili powder, salt, and ginger-garlic paste. Use hands to massage spices into the carrots. Add oil and cilantro and mix well. Refrigerate for a few hours before servings.
Drool worthy! My Mom makes this achar with a few additional ingredients., coarsely ground mustard seeds and sesame oil.
Thanks! Yeah, my mom was actually telling me that traditionally this achar has Rai in it, but I guess she likes it without; So I’ve had it without Rai my whole life!
Oh wow I love carrot pickles… looks so sumptuous … this is must try for me 🙂
I was missing my mom’s gajrella these days .. any good recipe?
Thanks!
And by gajrella do you mean Gajar ka Halwa or the milky type of thing with carrots in it? I’ll try to find you a good recipe 🙂
Mothers are the worst when it comes to adding measured substances. I once asked my mom how many taespoons of chilli powder to put and she said put sensibly!
LOL! When I was visiting my mom this past time, I was helping her out with the cooking when she told me to add a spice to the pot. I asked how much and she said the same thing as your mom! Then I showed her what I thought was “sensible” and she said that it was too much! LOL!
I was like, “mom, that’s why we need measurements!” LOL
They’ve been cooking for so long that I’m sure that even if we blindfolded them they would be able to come up with an amazing meal 🙂
That’s a quick pickle, simple ingredients & easy to make! Looks great!
Thanks Ambreen! Btw, I made your chicken biryani recipe again today (that’s 2 times in less than 2 weeks!) and it was a hit!
First off, I love your blog’s new look! the colors, the header and everything looks amazing!
My mom cooks that way too and starting my blog has been a great way to connect with her and get her to measure up some of her amazing recipes for me to recreat 🙂
Thanks Sawsan! I just thought that it was time for a change and I wanted to give this blog a personal touch, so I went ahead and customized quite a bit of it. And yes, I agree, blogging has been a wonderful way to connect with our moms 🙂
This reminds me of a favorite salad I used to make all the time back in Ramadan 2011. I felt it was light on the stomach and not too gas to eat before and after Taraweeh prayers.
Essentially, you take about a can size portion of chick peas, add them to processed carrots and cilantro. Create a dressing of 2 parts oil 1 part lemon juice, add in a tbs of cumin and salt and pepper. Combine ingredients with dressing. After letting all the flavors settle, the taste of this dish is wonderful on the palette!!
Thanks for sharing this one–I will be sure to try it 🙂
oh my! That sounds amazing!