Zesty Garlic Pickle: Spice Up Your Meals with Homemade Goodness

Garlic Pickle Recipe

Ingredients:

• 250 grams of fresh garlic cloves, peeled
• 1/4 cup mustard oil (or any other oil like sesame or sunflower oil)
• 2 tablespoons mustard seeds
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 1 tablespoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
• 2 tablespoons salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice

Instructions:

Preparation:

• Peel the garlic cloves and pat them dry with a clean towel. It’s important to ensure there is no moisture on the garlic.

Dry Roasting Spices:

• In a pan, dry roast mustard seeds, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, and fenugreek seeds on low heat until they are fragrant. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let them cool.

Grinding Spices:

• Once cooled, grind the roasted spices into a coarse powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.

Cooking the Garlic:

• Heat the mustard oil in a pan until it reaches smoking point. Then let it cool slightly.
• Add the asafoetida to the oil, followed by the garlic cloves. Sauté the garlic on medium heat until they start turning golden brown. This should take about 5-7 minutes.

Adding Spices:

• Lower the heat and add the ground spice mixture to the garlic. Stir well to coat the garlic evenly with the spices.
• Add the red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix thoroughly.

Pickling Process:

• Add the vinegar and lemon juice to the pan. Stir well and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool completely.

Storage:

• Once cooled, transfer the garlic pickle to a clean, sterilized glass jar.
• Ensure the garlic cloves are submerged in the oil. If needed, add a little more oil to cover the garlic completely.

Maturing:

• Seal the jar and let the pickle mature for at least a week in a cool, dark place before consuming. Shake the jar gently every day to mix the contents.

Tips:

• Sterilize the Jar: Ensure your storage jar is properly sterilized to avoid any contamination and extend the shelf life of the pickle.
• Adjust Spices: Feel free to adjust the level of spices and salt according to your taste preferences.
• Oil Coverage: Ensure the garlic is always submerged in oil to prevent spoilage.

Enjoy your homemade garlic pickle with rice, bread, or as a spicy accompaniment to your meals!

If you’re a true garlic lover, you’ll adore this pickle—so why not plant your garlic and enjoy fresh, homemade goodness all year round?