ACAR NYONYA
Among the Nyonyas (Straits-born Chinese) who have assimilated Malay customs and way of life), the acar is the family's secret recipe, not to be divulged to anyone but the daughters. Needless to say, there are many ways of making acar. Here is an acar with a difference, with the inclusion of pickled green peppercorns giving it that extra bite.
Ingredients
Cooking oil
10gm belacan
A. 2 shallots, chopped
30gm ginger, cut into very thin strips
3 cloves of garlic, halved
2 tablespoons chilli paste
2 teaspoons turmeric powder
7 tablespoons vinegar
B. 300gm carrot, julienned
500 gm cucumber, seeded and julienned
100gm pickled green peppercorns
5 whole green chillies
C. 20gm sesame seeds, roasted
30gm mustard seeds, roasted
2 teaspoons salt
100gm sugar
Method
1. Heat cooking oil in a pan and fry belacan until fragrant.
2. Add ingredients A and fry together.
3. Pour in the vinegar and bring to a boil.
4. Put in ingredients B and stir for a minute.
5. Remove from heat and mix in ingredients C
6. Let the acar rest for a day and allow the flavours of the spices to seep into the vegetables before serving.
