Bongs are popular for their Sweet Achar prepared with Jaggery and/ or Sugar and there in Kolkata people mostly bought spicy Pickle (UP or Punjab Variety) instead of preparing it at home as they prepare Sweet pickle at home. However, in my place, we used to have homemade spicy pickles from Benaras since My Rangama (Aunty) was originally from the holy city of Benaras and she used to bring the special "Lal Mirch Ka Benarasi Achar" whenever she went to her parents' house.
Missing those days… having food with all the members of our 18 membered family….Rice… Daal…Macher Jhol and a small bite of "Lonkar Achar!" Yes, that is what we called "Lal Mirch Ka Benarasi Achar" in Bengali.
"Lal Mirch Ka Benarasi Achar"…. As they called it! The super popular Spicy Stuffed Red Chilli Pickle from the State of Uttar Pradesh and specifically from Benaras is also known as "Bharwaan Lal Mirch Ka Achaar". India is the land of spices and Indian Pickles are full of the flavor of spices. Every state of this country has own variety of Pickle and each variety is equally flavorful and tasty.
To be very frank, I never thought of preparing Achar in my kitchen! After all, a variety of Achars are easily available in stores and moreover My Ma and Mom in Law specially prepare Achar for us and we are loaded with different Bong variety of Achar every year! But; Plans are always relative; ain't they? When I saw these beautiful, Red Chillies in the Veggie shop I just couldn't resist myself. They were nothing but tempting!
Initially, I was thinking of preparing a small amount of Achar but then thought of preparing Achar with at least 1 Kg Lal Mirch. Actually, we have a plan to visit both my and hubby's place in coming weeks and I always bring something homemade for our relatives and this time Achar is one of the main items of my goodie list.
Though Readymade Spices of Achar which is known as "Achari Masala" is nowadays available in departmental stores, however, I thought of preparing "Achari Masala" at home as well. Homemade spices are always special as they contain perfect measurement and I prefer to use homemade versions.
Serving Suggestion:
"Lal Mirch Ka Benarasi Achar" can be stored for more than a year but you need to place the bottles in Sunlight once in a while and is a good accomplishment for any Indian Rice or bread including Parathas. You can check some of the Rice and Bread recipes from my blog with which this Achar can be served: Sattu ka Paratha/ Chatur Paratha, Bedmi Poori, Kachori, Peas Pulao, Fish Pulao, Sweet Pulao.
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