Made from thick, fresh, tender, bright red chillies, JhaJi's Lal Mirch Bharua Achar is a must have pickle prepared in traditional Bihari style using a rich blend of spices, and very limited mustard oil.
The seeds are first removed to empty the red chili. A masala mix is prepared with a variety of spices, mustard oil, and red chili seeds. Finally, the masala is stuffed into the red chili to prepare the pickle.
Ingredients used in the Red Chilli Pickle
include Red Chilli, Mustard Seeds, Black Mustard, Coriander Powder, Cumin, Carom Seeds, Fenugreek, Nigella Seeds, Turmeric, Red Chilli Powder, Amchoor, Black Salt, Salt, and Mustard Oil.
RECIPE: How we make the Lal Mirch ka Bharwa Achar
The process of preparation begins with the red chilies arriving to our kitchen factory. Our team of expert pickle makers first sort the chilies for proper quality, size, and colour, and cut off their tails.
It is then washed thoroughly and left out in the sun to dry for a couple of hours.
Thereafter begins the work of removing the seeds from the chilies to make space for the masala mix to be stuffed.
The seeds, that are taken out, are mixed into the spices along with mustard oil. These seeds add a unique flavour and texture to the spice mix.
Eventually, the red chilies are stuffed with the masala mix one-at-a-time. It’s a very delicate process and the red chilies must retain their shape and form once the filling is complete.
The red chilies are then arranged over a butter paper in a सूप (traditional Bihari kitchen utility made with bamboo) for sun-drying. It takes about 7-10 days of sun for the pickle to be ready.
Lal Mirch Bharua Pickle is the most loved pickle across Bihar, and among the top 3 bestsellers at JhaJi Store. It is relished locally with Dal-Chawal, Choora-Dahi, Poori-Bhujiya!
You’re likely to spot this pickle in tiffins, or lunch boxes locals carry to work 😊
