Achaar Ka Masala is a homemade spice blend to flavor the Indian pickles. It is commonly known as pickle masala. There is more to this achaar masala than just pleasing senses. It carries a supreme role in the making of Indian pickles (achaar). Those bold, blazing, spicy, sweet, sour, pickles are incomplete without a teaspoon of achaar masala.
Masala, a ground spice mixture is perhaps the most common and the easiest way of using whole spices. It takes a little effort to combine spices at home and make a spice blend. In the multitude of spice mixes, Achaar Ka Masala stands out for its bright color and distinct aroma.
In some pickles, the masala brings out the flavor while in some the color. But either way, it is a key ingredient in any Indian pickle.
For me, the trick to make perfect pickle masala is to accurately measure each spice mentioned in the recipe and roasting it precisely to the time when the spice aroma hits the senses. That is my simple yet reliable maneuver to make achaar masala at home.
The scent of Achaar Masala lives in the kitchen in different ways, throughout the year. The seasonal winter bounties are dressed with this masala and pickled later comes the mango season and the official pickling season in the country.
Rest of year, the masala dazzle the curries and quick stir-fry side dishes. But that striking, sharp aroma of Achaar masala shower that dull plain kitchen air.
It is a kind of aroma that lingers in the background even long after the season of pickles in over. There is always an option of buying the package Achaar Masala.
But there is a therapeutic comfort in combining the spices and taking the first whiff of that homemade blend. There is a kind of unstated joy in making spice blends from scratch and later sharing a bottle or two maybe, with the loved ones.
Indian Pickle Recipes…
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Achaar Ka Masala
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp amchur dry mango powder
- 1 tbsp red chilly powder
- 1 tbsp turmeric powder
- 3 tbsp mustard seeds sarson
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds saunf
- 1 tbsp fenugreek seeds methi dana
- 1 tbsp carom seeds ajwain
- 2 tsp nigella seeds kalonji
- 1 tbsp salt or to taste
Instructions
- In a heavy bottom pan dry roast the mustard seeds for 1 – 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
- Next dry roast the fennel seeds till aroma is released, keep on stirring while roasting.Transfer to the same bowl as mustard seeds.
- Similarly, dry roast fenugreek seeds, carom seeds and nigella seeds on by one.
- Transfer the masala mix to a bowl. Add salt, amchur, red chili powder and turmeric powder. Stir to combine.
- Store the Achaar Masala in a clean, dry airtight jar at room temperature.
- Make sure to use dry spoon to scoop out the masala.
- Achaar Masala has a shelf life of more than 6 months if stored at ideal conditions.
8 comments
Good read.. Very sharp images!
Mouth-watering <3 <3
Love achaar masala. The pictures are gorgeous!
Thank you so much for the kind words. I am so glad that you like it 🙂 BTW I regularly read your blog as well.
Made amazing gajar gobhi ka achaar using this masala.
Wow 🙂 so nice!
Hi,
How much masala to put in 1 kg lemons.
Thanks.
It depends on how spicy you want the pickle. Usually, I would use in between 1/4 Cup to 1/3 Cup.