Acar Awak

Name: Acar Awak
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 people
Ingredients: 5 shallot; 12 red chili pepper; 1/2 inch (5mm) Turmeric; 2 candle nuts; tamarind pulp; 1 cup water

User Reviews

4.6

82 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings
4 people
Calories
339 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
Southeast-Asian Fusion

Acar Awak

Kelsey Carr

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Acar Awak is a Southeast Asian pickled vegetable salad combining a spicy tamarind-based sauce with a fresh mix of vegetables and ground peanuts. The sauce is made from a paste of shallots, red chilies, turmeric, and candle nuts, cooked with tamarind juice to provide tangy, spicy, and aromatic flavors. The mix is best served after resting overnight to develop its characteristic bright and balanced taste.

Description

The recipe starts by extracting tamarind juice from soaked pulp, which brings sourness central to the dish. The spice paste is prepared from fresh shallots, red chilies, turmeric, and candle nuts blended together, then stir-fried until aromatic. Adding the tamarind juice to the paste creates a tangy and spicy sauce base.

A variety of raw or lightly blanched vegetables are tossed into this sauce off heat to retain their crunch and freshness. Ground peanuts stirred in contribute texture and a nutty counterpoint to the spicy, sour dressing. The salad is traditionally cooled and ideally prepared a day ahead, allowing flavors to meld and deepen.

Acar Awak is typically served as a refreshing condiment or side dish, offering a contrast to rich or savory mains.

It can be stored in the refrigerator for several days, keeping its flavor and texture suitable for multiple servings.

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Ingredients

Servings

Spice Paste:

5 shallot
12 red chili pepper fresh
1/2 inch (5mm) Turmeric or some turmeric powder, fresh
2 candle nuts

Tamarind Juice:

tamarind pulp about golf ball size
1 cup water

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Instructions

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Soak the tamarind pulp in water for 15 minutes. Squeeze to extract the juice and set it aside.
Blend the spice paste in a food processor and set it aside.
Heat a wok and add oil. Stir-fry the spice paste until aromatic. Add the tamarind juice and bring to a boil. Season with salt and sugar to taste.
Add all the vegetables to the wok and turn off the heat immediately. Add the ground peanuts and stir to mix well.
Let it cool and serve. Acar is best when prepared a day in advance.

Notes

Prepare Acar Awak at least one day in advance to allow the flavors to develop fully.
Store the acar in the refrigerator to keep it fresh for several days.

Nutrition Information

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Serving 4people Calories 339kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 26g (9%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 24g (37%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Sodium 91mg (4%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 12g (24%)