Recipe: Nepalese Achar Sauce

This Nepalese Achar Sauce is so yummy for dipping or drizzling on Momos but also any kind of dumpling, veggies, rice, noodles, or add to a broth. So yum! Homemade sauces can make all the difference to elevate a super simple dish.

Last week we had the Momos “Nepalese Style” with Achar Sauce and Paprika Butter at The Momo Bar in Manly - it was SO delicious we had to come home and make the Achar sauce ourselves. After a quick search online we found many different versions so our recipe is a mix of those and it is 10/10

Also, having been to Northern India several times I can say this tastes very authentic!

Ingredients:

olive oil

1 inch ginger, finely chopped

6 garlic cloves, minced

1 large red onion, finely diced

1 teaspoon smoky paprika

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 heaped teaspoon turmeric

1 tablespoon tahini***

7 fresh truss tomatoes, chopped

1/4 teaspoon HOT chilli flakes (optional)

1/4 bunch fresh coriander, chopped (optional)

1 tablespoon soy sauce (use GF if needed)

Salt and black pepper

***traditionally: toasted and ground sesame seeds are used instead of tahini, if you have a pestle and mortar try this, however tahini (sesame paste) worked perfectly

Method:

Heat a generous drizzle of olive oil in cast iron pan over a medium heat

Add ginger and garlic and sauté to release aromatics

Add red onion along with a couple pinches of salt and sauté until softened

Reduce to a low heat

Add paprika, cumin and ground coriander, cook for 30-60 seconds

Add turmeric, cook for 30-60 seconds

Add a drizzle more olive oil if pan is dry

Add tahini, stir and cook for 60 seconds

Return pan to medium heat and add the tomatoes

Add chilli flakes if using (leave out or add more if yours are not super hot like ours were)

Cook for 15 minutes or until tomatoes have broken down

Remove from heat, add fresh coriander (if using) and blend into a smooth paste

Add soy and stir through

Season with salt and pepper to taste

Serve with your favourite momos or dumplings or bowl of rice, veggies and protein!