In this post:A & V are Mr. & Mrs.Jha
Smt.Nirmala Jha - A's mother and the Chief Cook:) (Seen below)
Smt.Nutan Jha - V's co-sister and the Demonstrator (Seen below)
When I had posted
dal khichdi sometime back I had quoted a popular saying from Bihar
"khichdi ke chaar yaar. Dahi, papad, ghee, achaar"! I should have been more specific! When I said achaar I did not mean just any, but "Mirchi ka Achaar" more specfically "the" mirchi ka achaar that I had tasted long back at V & A's place, and the one that I am sharing with all of you today! Again, this is not something I made - I am afraid I really have a long long way to go before I get a decent pickle ready:).
Credits:The pictures showing the pickling process have been taken and given to me by V, a dear friend. Above is the sprightly lady - Smt.Nirmala Jha who had been making this pickle for the past 40years before passing over the baton to her Daughter-In-Law, Nutan Jha (obviously a fine learner). Having tasted this you will never again look at the shop bought ones, and that is a promise! Just try it once for yourself:)
When
TONGUE TICKLERS...... was still at its infancy I had once
expressed my weakness for my dear friend, V's Lal Mirchi Ka Achaar. She gave me a generous batch two years back around this time, and I remember how the infectious taste caught on among my office mates. Most of them pressed me to get them a batch too but it was too late as the chillies were no longer available. The result - V and her family started it as a business venture last year, and I was their 'bribed' middleman, selling their tasty achaar to my colleagues. They made a huge sale but also a huge loss - now we know what finance and marketing is all about!
V called me a couple of weeks back to ask whether I would like a jar of my favourite pickle (neki aur pooch pooch?). I was only too glad and least said I was jumping for joy and performing a jig all at the same time! Since the venture went kaput last time this year she decided on doing something better - her Mother-In-Law, has come here for good, and wanted to share her recipe with others! I am honored that she chose my blog as her platform - I guarantee you this one will have you licking your plate, your fingers and making you go smack with your tongue!! Get ready to get mesmerised by this age old and traditional method of pickling straight from the veteran's hand!
Did I get you drooling? Then it is unfair to delay further! Drool more:)
Remember:The variety of red chillies required for making this pickle is the
firm (not aged) ripe red one which is
available between January and March in India. Take a look at the picture to get an idea.
Warning:The lady warns that you will experience a burning sensation in your hands after the pickling that will remain for at least 3 to 4 days!! No wonder they do not want a business anymore:)
Shelf life:Auntyji says it will last
a year, but believe me - I am experienced and I know hogs lick the jar clean at the end of
only 4 months!! Maybe you could eat in a conservative manner, but we ate it like there was no tomorrow:)
