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Thursday, March 24, 2011

Food Trip Friday 062: Ensalada de pepino y zanahoria


Okay, please indulge me. I just have this urge to write in Spanish because I think ensalada en pepino y zanahoria sounds so much fun than writing cucumber and carrots achara. hahaha.
I have to confess this – I have a thing for pickled veggies! I like the salty ones, the sweet-and-sour ones, the spicy ones, the garlicky ones… name it, I like them all. Not only that they serve as appetizers they also are a great relish and a side dish. No problem, because here in Cambodia, I share with the whole country the same love affair with  pickled vegetables. They have bok lahong, which is like a cousin of our very own Pinoy achara, only spicier (with lots of fresh, red chilli) and saltier. There is also the same lahong that goes with an order of nompang pate (Khmer sandwich with meatloaf). In Cambodian wedding banquets, platefuls of pickled cucumber, radish, etc. are also served without fail along with local cold cuts as appetizer. When I was in Japan, I sampled most of their pickled veggies with every meal, including breakfast. I can still remember the colours, the kick of flavours,  and the textures of different Japanese tsukemono.

It was very easy to prepare and I was very adventurous when I made mine. No measurements, no nothing. I sliced and diced, sprinkled and stirred, and trusted my senses :) And thank heavens, they turn out edible and good naman. I bottled the achara and chilled in the fridge; the will keep for about 2 weeks at most. Now I have something to go with inihaw or piniritong isda (grilled or fried fish), especially with my favourite piniritong tilapya. Great timing, ‘no, especially that it is the Lenten season.


Speaking of Japan, please let us continue to pray for the country’s speedy recovery. Our hearts go out to the Japanese people and not a day goes by without me thinking about their plight. Let us help in one way or another. Also, while I’m writing this, news came out about the two quakes that rocked Myanmar earlier this evening. No news yet about damage or casualties. We will probably know tomorrow. Let’s also pray for the people of Myanmar.

16 comments:

Guiltless Grub said...

Looks fun and I too don't measure up, only for the ones who want to learn. Adventurous!

Unknown said...

i love pickles, too. well, not the pickles my mom prefers like pickled mustasa (ewww!) and ampalaya. this one, gusto ko 'to!

Pizza at Cibo

Three-Cookies said...

The dish described in Spanish sounds much more sophisticated

♥ Willa @ Postage Journal♥ said...

I also love Achara specially as a dip for any fried thing, though i'm not sure if I want to try your alternative version. :)

Lui said...

looking at that made me drool. i want deep fried fish, lots of rice and chili please pakisamahan na ng iced tea. hahaha.. yung neighbor namin ang business - pickles! as in she makes about 10 varieties daily and i love the pickled monggo sprouts with chili. the best with grilled fish.

hay nagutom tuloy ako, di pa ako nagbbreakfast...

Chubskulit Rose said...

I miss achara sis hehehe


Spice Up Your Life with Mexican Treats.

Cheerful said...

ang sarap naman, full of colors and this one will arouse someone's appetite...yum! PinayMum - Mommy's Life Around...wishing you a great Friday! :)

lyzacruz88 said...

very colorful and looks yummy :)

http://www.lyzalane.info/2011/03/shakeys-late-night.html

Marana said...

wow, achara sa mga fiesta ko lang to nakikita at sa chowking, sarap nito.

btw, please vote for Noobfoodie under Blog category and our Mike Mamaril the Site developer/designer of Noobfoodie under Personal category
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Jac said...

wow I love achara.... Yummy :)

Rechie said...

i love atchara din...I love spicy ones

mine is here

Daryll Villena said...

now that is old school! =) yummy with fish

domestic {cherry} said...

i love achara but i just buy them. but would love to make one from scratch one day.

here's my entry:

http://www.domestic-cherry.com/2011/03/maginhawa-strip-carbo-loading-at-ted-ps/

Sassy Chef said...

Naku, I totally love achara with everything meaty and fishy! haha..yum!
Much Love,
Pearl
Sassy Chef Recipes and Reviews

darly said...

Galing mo naman you can make homemade achara. i heard nga its a great side dish with anything fried or grilled. Kaya lang ako, i can't seem to enjoy it, waaaa.

Enjoy your foodtripping this week, and hope you have a look at my FTF entry too.
Food and Passion
I Love Darly!

Bang said...

i will try this one. mahilig ako sa pritong isda, this one will be the perfect match :D