GUNDRUK ACHAR/NEPALI RECIPE/NEPALI ACHAR

 

Gundruk is a fermented leafy green vegetables and popular food in Nepal.

Region: Nepal, Sikkim, Darjeeling.

What is “GUNDRUK”: Gundruk is basically a fermented full dried food mainly used for soupy dishes

 and pickles. It is made from different leafy food products including cauliflower leaves, carrot leaves

 and mustard leaves.

How to make GUNDRUK: I came to know from a Nepali lady the process of making Gundruk. When

 we visited Dooars, we took our breakfast from a restaurant on the way from Sevok Kalibari to

 Udlabari.In breakfast thali we got paratha, chickpeas sabji ,tomato chutney, aloo sabji and Gundruk

 achar.I was so excited after seeing this breakfast ,actually we are all so hungry because we won’t get 

  even morning tea on the way. This full dish breakfast made me excited to have it. The lady told me

 how to make “GUNDRUK”.

It is prepared by firstly cutting leaves into small pieces in 2 to 4 inches. All pieces wash properly and

 drain out water. Spread all cutting leaves on a mat and cover it with clothes on the top so that it

 naturally fermented.  The volume of pieces starts to shrink and release water, a smell of fermentation

 comes out from leaves. Now the perfect time to put all cutting leaves in an air tight plastic jar for 3 to 5

 days to dry .It depends on the season of the year how fast it will dry. When the color starts to getting

 brown and fermented smell begins to form, all fermented leaves removed from the container and

 spread on the mat again to dry for couple of days. It is full naturally dried leaves which you can use for

 making any dishes. We purchased 2 packets of Gundruk from them. It is really new for me though I

 had some knowledge about it from a magazine.

Now I am sharing GUNDRUK ACHAR which I came to know from that beautiful lady.

GUNDRUK ACHAR:

INGREDIENTS : 1) GUNDRUK  1 cup ( Cut gundruk in small 2 inches pieces ,pour it in boiled water for 4 to 5 minutes , after that drain  out from water.)

2) Boiled potato: 1 cup (cut into small square pieces.)

3) Sliced cabbage: 1 cup

4) Sliced cucumber: 1 cup

5) Sliced onion: ½ cup

6) Green chilies: 3 to 4 cut into small pieces.

7) Chat masala: 3 to 4 teaspoons

8) Tomato: cut into small cubes (1 cup)

9) White oil: 2 tablespoons.

Salt: according to your taste.

PROCESS: Place a karai on gas and pour white oil (2 tablespoons).When oil become hot add boiled potato and tomato cubes in hot oil to just saute it.Take out from karai and keep aside.

MIXING OF GUDRUK ACHAR: Take a bowl and mix all ingredients which I described before. Add

 chat masala and little salt. Do not add more salt because chat masala contains salt.I like sour taste little

 bit more and so I add lemon juice in it. Our “GUNDRUK ACHAR “is ready to serve with hot rice

 ,handmade roti and paratha.

Enjoy Nepali achar…..”GUNDRUK ACHAR”.

Thank you.