spicy – Masala Monk

If you’re a fan of spicy and tangy flavors, then Avakaya is the perfect condiment to tantalize your taste buds! Avakaya is a traditional Indian pickle made with raw mangoes, chili powder, and a blend of aromatic spices. This fiery and flavorful pickle adds a punch to any meal, whether it’s rice, roti, or even sandwiches. In this post, we’ll explore the art of making Avakaya at home, step-by-step, along with tips on selecting the right mangoes and preserving this delicious condiment. Get ready to add a burst of spice and zing to your culinary adventures with homemade Avakaya! 🌶️🥭🍛

The Allure of Avakaya 🌶️🥭 Avakaya is a beloved pickle from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, known for its vibrant flavors and spicy kick. The combination of tangy raw mangoes, fiery red chili powder, and aromatic spices creates a pickle that packs a punch. Avakaya is a versatile condiment that can elevate the simplest of meals with its tangy, spicy, and slightly sour taste. It’s a delightful accompaniment that adds excitement to rice, curries, parathas, or even as a dip for snacks. Prepare to experience a burst of flavors with every bite!

Crafting Homemade Avakaya 🌶️🥭🍯 Now, let’s dive into the recipe for homemade Avakaya:

Ingredients:

4 cups raw mangoes, firm and sour, peeled and cut into small pieces
1 cup red chili powder (adjust according to your spice preference)
1/4 cup mustard seeds
1/4 cup fenugreek seeds (methi seeds)
1/2 cup sesame oil (gingelly oil)
1/4 cup powdered jaggery or sugar (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
1 tablespoon turmeric powder
Salt to taste

Instructions:

Start by ensuring the raw mangoes are firm and sour. Wash them thoroughly, peel the skin, and cut them into small, bite-sized pieces. Remove any excess moisture from the mango pieces using a clean kitchen towel.
In a large mixing bowl, add the mango pieces and sprinkle salt and turmeric powder. Mix well and set aside for about 30 minutes. This step helps to remove excess moisture from the mangoes.
Meanwhile, dry roast the mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds separately until they turn aromatic. Allow them to cool down and then grind them into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
In a separate bowl, combine the red chili powder, ground mustard and fenugreek powder, and jaggery or sugar (if using). Mix well to ensure all the spices are evenly distributed.
Heat sesame oil in a pan on medium heat. Once hot, turn off the heat and let it cool down slightly. The oil should be warm, not scorching hot.
Now, add the spice mixture to the mango pieces. Mix thoroughly to coat the mangoes with the spices.
Slowly pour the warm sesame oil over the mango mixture. The oil helps in preserving the pickle and imparts a rich flavor.
Mix everything together until well combined. Ensure that the mango pieces are evenly coated with the spice mixture and oil.
Transfer the Avakaya pickle to a clean, dry glass jar. Press the mixture down firmly to remove any air gaps. Ensure that the pickle is fully submerged in the oil.
Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dry place for at least a week to allow the flavors to meld together. During this time, the mangoes will absorb the flavors of the spices and develop a tangy taste.
After a week, you can start enjoying your homemade Avakaya pickle. It can be stored for several months, but make sure to refrigerate it to extend its shelf life.

Tips for Selecting Mangoes for Avakaya 🥭🌟 To make the best Avakaya, choose raw mangoes that are firm, sour, and have a thin skin. Mango varieties such as Totapuri, Rajapuri, or Banganapalli work well for Avakaya. Avoid mangoes that are overly ripe or fibrous, as they may not provide the desired texture and taste.

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Conclusion With homemade Avakaya, you can add a burst of spice and tang to your meals. This fiery and flavorful pickle made with raw mangoes and aromatic spices is a true delight for your taste buds. The tangy and spicy notes of Avakaya can elevate any dish and create a memorable dining experience. So, gather the ingredients, follow the recipe, and embark on a culinary adventure with homemade Avakaya! 🌶️🥭🍛

Shakespeare contributed most of the phrases and metaphors to the English literature which is commonly used in our daily life all across the globe. His artistic freedom authorized him to introduce many more idioms and adjectives to the language, just like the roadside Dhabha wala bhaiya loads my plate of Rajma Chawal with chopped onions, green chillies, and a variety of vegetable pickles.

In 16^th century, he peppered his plays “The tempest” with a phrase:

TRINCULO:
I have been in such a pickle since I saw you last that,
I fear me, will never out of my bones:
I shall not fear fly-blowing.

I wondered what pickle he was eating that made him pen down this statement and the following conclusion, because I am sure if he had tasted an Indian pickle (Achar), his tide would have turned.

Personally, dreaming about “Achar” fills me with a euphoric feeling. It takes me back to my childhood summer visits to my grandmother’s kitchen, which had lined up big glass jars, filled with mangoes pieces soaked in spices and mustard oil, covered with cotton cloth, and soaked in the bright summer sun. These mango pickles were then packed in airtight jars. A carefully prepared procedure of do’s and don’ts was followed so that these delicious pickles can last as long as possible while retaining its true taste. (And of course, she used to add a ton of love too).

Sun-cooked to preserve the nutrients and taste

Homemade with love, without preservatives

In India, three main types of pickling techniques are practiced. These are preserving in oil, vinegar, or saltwater brine, out of which the oil recipe is most commonly practiced. As these recipes have passed on from generations, so here comes the real question “Are we storing our pickles in the right way?” “Do you think you are the deserving heir of your family pickling techniques?” or “Are you ready to pass your family traditional pickling technique to your kids?”

As most of the ingredients used in Indian pickles are natural preservatives, the amount and ways to use those preservatives play an important role while storing these pickles. Here are some tips straight from my grandmother’s diary which will help you to store your pickle like a pro!

While using oil as a preservative, you should always dry the fruits, vegetables or berries after slicing so that it releases all its moisture
Each slice of a pickle should be soaking in oil, which will prevent it from future air contact. You can ensure this by shaking the jar after filling
Always store your pickle in ceramic or glass jars
Make sure that your pickle jar is washed, dried, cleaned, and sterilized properly
Make sure you fill the jar to the brim and leave no space for air
Before closing the jar lid, place a makhmal/cotton cloth on the jar top. This further soaks any left out moisture inside
Occasionally, it’s recommended to keep your pickle jars in the sun for a few hours
Always use a dry stainless steel spoon to mix or to serve
Always store the jar in a cool and dry place
In case of pickles preserved in vinegar, avoid using metal lids

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As I dig into ancient Egyptian history and English literature, Cleopatra attributed her good looks to a hearty diet of pickles, but not to forget it was not just the good looks that made her the queen of the Nile. She was a great philosopher, mathematician, astronomer and knew a dozen of languages that made her so desirable. Pickle is like Cleopatra. It cannot be defined by just its taste and tanginess, it also carries a ton of healthy bacteria, along with a range of essential minerals & vitamins like B12, which helps in food digestion and provides antioxidants for the body. So why to regret tempting and drooling over a good jar of homemade pickle? Our love for anything in this universe isn’t supposed to be easy. But it should be worth it, so is making, storing & having a tasty pickle.

Before you enter your next pickle binge, do keep in mind that pickles have high levels of sodium and fats. Gorging it can cause an increase in body cholesterol level. So in order to keep enjoying your pickle, “eat your pickle like a pickle so you don’t end in a pickle”.