When I lay my eyes on the plump long red chillies that are used for making the Bharwan Lal Mirch ka Achaar, I just knew I had to make this yummy pickle that is popular in North India. I first tasted this pickle with Aloo Paratha when my sister-in-law got it from her mom’s place. 🙂
I liked the Bharwan Lal Mirch ka Achaar because it is quite different from the South Indian pickles, which tend to be spicy (especially those from my home state of Andhra Pradesh). This pickle was mild and packed a punch when it came to flavour: the aroma and sweetness of fennel; the mild bitterness and heat of mustard; the tanginess of amchur; and of course, the flavour of the mustard oil.
I have been intending to make this stuffed red chilly pickle for a while now and got around to it last week. And by serendipity, the theme of the 120th Foodie Monday Blog Hop is Winter Recipes, so this pickle recipe is just the thing for it.
If you like chillies, try my recipes for Hyderabadi Mirchi ka Salan, Hirvi Mirchicha Techa (Maharashtrian Style Green Chilly Chutney), Pachi Mirapakaya Pachadi (Andhra Style Green Chilly Chutney), and Green Chilli Pickle.
How to Make UP Style Bharwan Lal Mirch ka Achaar | Stuffed Red Chilly Pickle
UP Style Bharwan Lal Mirch ka Achaar | Stuffed Red Chilly Pickle
Ingredients
- 250 Gms Big Red Chillies About 20 in number
- 1/2 Cup Powdered Mustard/Rai
- 1/2 Cup Powdered Fennel Seed/Saunf
- 1/3 Cup Powdered Fenugreek Seeds/Methi Dana
- 1/3 Cup Dried Mango/Amchur Powder
- 2 tbsp Turmeric
- 1 tbsp Asafoetida
- 1/4 to 1/3 Litre Mustard Oil Enough to cover the chillies
- Salt to Taste
Instructions
- Heat the mustard oil to smoking point and let it cool completely to room temperature.
- Dry the red chillies well for 1-2 hours to ensure there is no dampness at all.
- Remove the stalk and top of the red chilli.
- Make a long vertical slit in the the red chillies.
- Set aside.
- Mix Rai, Saunf, and Methi powders.
- Add turmeric, amchur, asafoetida, and salt.
- Add 2-3 tbsp mustard oil so that the masala mix becomes moist.
- Stuff the masala into each red chilli till it is well packed.
- Transfer the stuffed red chillies into a completely dry glass/ceramic bottle or bowl.
- Pour the mustard oil onto the stuffed red chillies so that the chillies are completely immersed.
- If possible, place these chillies in sunlight for 3 to 4 days.
- Enjoy with parathas.
Recipe with Step-by-Step Method to Make Bharwan Lal Mirch ka Achaar | Stuffed Red Chilly Pickle
- Prepping the Mustard Oil
- In a dry kadhai, heat the mustard oil till it smokes and changes colour to pale yellow.
- Take off the heat.
- Let the mustard oil cool to room temperature.
- Getting the Lal Mirch Ready
- Spread the red chillies on a cloth or a newspaper and let them dry for a couple of hours to ensure they are completely dry and have no moisture.
- Cut off and remove the stalk and top of the red chilli.
- Using a sharp knife, slit the red chillies vertically from the top, stopping just short of the tip so that the red chilli remains whole.
- Making the Stuffing
- Combine the rai, saunf, and methi powders.
- Mix well.
- Add haldi, amchur, hing, and salt.
- Mix well.
- Taste to ensure that there is enough salt. The masala should be just a bit salty as it will settle after pickling.
- Now mix 2-3 tbsp of mustard oil into the masala so that it is just damp. This is an optional step but helps in ensuring that the stuffing does not spill out.
- Combine the rai, saunf, and methi powders.
- Making the Bharwan Lal Mirch ka Achaar
- Gently stuff each red chilli with the masala till it is well packed. I gently shook off any extra masala.
- When all the red chillies are stuffed, transfer them into a completely dry glass/ceramic bottle or bowl. Use a shallow one otherwise you will need plenty of oil to cover the chillies completely.
- Now pour the mustard oil onto the stuffed red chillies so that the chillies are completely immersed.
- If possible, place these chillies in sunlight for 3 to 4 days.
Or
Let them pickle for a week or two. - Enjoy the Bharwan Lal Mirch ka Achaar with parathas or dal-chawal.
- Gently stuff each red chilli with the masala till it is well packed. I gently shook off any extra masala.
I am taking this delicious recipe to the 120th Foodie Monday Blog Hop, where winter recipes rule the roost this week. To see the winter recipes contributed by my fellow bloggers, visit the Pinterest page by clicking on the logo below:
sevenroses says
delicious and tempting as usual. lovely pics too.
firsttimercook says
Oh i just love the color, superb share Aruna ?
poonampagar says
The pickle is so inviting Aruna.. bookmarking the recipe
RC says
What are these red chillies called? Are they the Milagai bajji chillies which have been dried?
Megala says
Beautiful chillies !
flavoredwithlovebypriyanka says
I love this pickle 🙂
The Girl Next Door says
I’ve never tried a pickle with red chillies before! Your version looks so yummy! 🙂
Madraasi says
So inviting. Would like to try soon 🙂
Batter Up With Sujata says
Wow Aruna chillies looks so yummy. Now I have to make it. Can’t wait ?
mayurisjikoni says
This pickle surely looks so tempting. Love the color and its pretty easy to make. Wondering if I could use normal oil instead of mustard oil?
Aruna says
Absolutely!
Vidya Narayan says
This is absolutely tempting stuff for a pickle / chilli lover like me
Preethi Prasad says
Aruna these chilli pickles are one of my favourite. Drooling over the pics now.
ammu163 says
My favourite with hot Pooris!Love this…slurpppp!
Sridevi says
Hi aruna
Should we deseed the chilies before filling the masalAs
Aruna says
I did not, Sridevi, because there were not too many. I guess if there are a lot of seeds you should.
Veena Krishnakumar says
wow!!!!Such a vibrant colour. Must have tasted awesome too
Deeksha Pathak says
This is so mouthwatering!!!