Acar Campur: Spicy Mixed Pickled Vegetables
Acar Campur is a vibrant and tangy dish featuring an assortment of pickled vegetables, loved in many Southeast Asian cuisines. This particular recipe blends fresh vegetables with a spicy and aromatic paste made from chili, garlic, shrimp paste, and nuts, creating a unique flavor profile. Perfect as a side dish or condiment, this delightful mix is not only colorful but also packed with crunch and zing. It's an ideal accompaniment to grilled meats or rice dishes, making your meals more exciting. Let the flavors meld for at least three days in the refrigerator for a truly authentic taste!
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh red pepper
1 (seeded and sliced)
Onion
1 (quartered)
Garlic cloves
2 (crushed)
Shrimp paste
1/2 inch cube
Macadamia nuts or almonds
4
Fresh turmeric
1 inch (peeled and sliced)
Sunflower oil
1/4 cup
White vinegar
2 cups
Water
1 cup
Sugar
2 ounces
Carrots
3 (cut into flower shapes)
Green beans
1 1/2 cups (cut into short lengths)
Cauliflower
1 small (cut into bite-sized florets)
Medium cucumber
1 (peeled, seeded, and cut into cubes)
White cabbage
8 ounces (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Dry roasted peanuts
1 cup (coarsely crushed)
Salt
to taste
Instructions
1
Begin by combining the fresh red pepper, onion, garlic, shrimp paste, nuts or almonds, and turmeric in a food processor. Blend the ingredients until a smooth paste forms.
2
In a large skillet, heat the sunflower oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the blended paste and stir-fry it for about two minutes until fragrant.
3
Carefully add in the white vinegar, water, sugar, and a pinch of salt to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for approximately 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
4
While the sauce simmers, prepare the vegetables. Cut the carrots into flower shapes, trim the green beans to short, neat lengths, separate the cauliflower into bite-sized florets, and cube the cucumber after peeling and seeding it. Lastly, chop the white cabbage into bite-sized pieces.
5
Blanch each prepared vegetable separately in a pot of boiling water for 1 minute. Transfer them to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain thoroughly.
6
Once the sautéed sauce is ready, gently add all the blanched vegetables into the skillet. Gradually bring the mixture back to a boil and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, ensuring not to overcook – the aim is to keep the vegetables crisp.
7
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the coarsely crushed dry roasted peanuts.
8
Allow the mixture to cool completely before transferring it to a clean jar or container. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 days to let the flavors develop before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Acar Campur?
Acar Campur is a vibrant and tangy Southeast Asian dish featuring an assortment of pickled vegetables in a spicy, aromatic paste.
What are the primary vegetables used in this recipe?
The recipe uses carrots, green beans, cauliflower, cucumber, and white cabbage.
How long should Acar Campur be refrigerated before serving?
It should be refrigerated for at least three days to allow the flavors to fully meld and develop.
What ingredients make up the spicy paste?
The paste is made from fresh red pepper, onion, garlic, shrimp paste, macadamia nuts or almonds, and fresh turmeric.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The carrots should be cut into decorative flower shapes.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
This recipe is designed to yield approximately 6 servings.
How do you prepare the cucumber for pickling?
The cucumber should be peeled, seeded, and then cut into cubes.
What type of oil is used for stir-frying the spice paste?
Sunflower oil is recommended for stir-frying the blended paste.
How long do you blanch the vegetables?
Each vegetable should be blanched separately in boiling water for exactly 1 minute.
What is the purpose of rinsing the vegetables under cold water after blanching?
Rinsing under cold water stops the cooking process to ensure the vegetables remain crisp.
What kind of vinegar is used in the pickling liquid?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of white vinegar.
Can I substitute macadamia nuts?
Yes, the recipe allows for either macadamia nuts or almonds to be used in the spice paste.
When are the peanuts added to the dish?
The coarsely crushed dry roasted peanuts are stirred in after the skillet is removed from the heat.
What provides the yellow color in Acar Campur?
Fresh turmeric included in the spice paste provides the signature vibrant yellow hue.
How long should the spice paste be stir-fried?
The paste should be stir-fried for about two minutes until it becomes fragrant.
How much sugar is required for the recipe?
The recipe requires 2 ounces of sugar.
What size should the cauliflower pieces be?
The cauliflower should be separated into bite-sized florets.
Is shrimp paste necessary for this dish?
The recipe includes a 1/2 inch cube of shrimp paste to add depth and authenticity to the flavor profile.
What is the desired texture of the vegetables in the final dish?
The goal is to keep the vegetables crisp rather than soft or mushy.
How long should the sauce simmer before adding vegetables?
The mixture of vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and paste should simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
What is the final cooking time once the vegetables are added to the sauce?
Once the vegetables are added, the mixture should be brought back to a boil and cooked for another 5 to 10 minutes.
How should the green beans be cut?
Green beans should be trimmed and cut into short, neat lengths.
What type of cabbage is used?
The recipe specifies 8 ounces of white cabbage cut into bite-sized pieces.
Is salt added to the recipe?
Yes, salt is added to taste during the preparation of the pickling liquid.
Does the cucumber need to be seeded?
Yes, the cucumber must be seeded before being cubed to prevent excess moisture.
What kitchen tool is used to make the spice paste?
A food processor is used to blend the ingredients into a smooth paste.
What are the main flavor notes of this dish?
The dish is characterized as being spicy, tangy, aromatic, and crunchy.
What dishes does Acar Campur pair well with?
It is an ideal accompaniment to grilled meats or various rice dishes.
Should the dish be cooled before storage?
Yes, the mixture must cool completely before being transferred to a jar and placed in the refrigerator.
Can this be considered a healthy side dish?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy and features a high variety of fresh, preserved vegetables.