Lime Pickle

also called nimbu ka achar · lime achar · indian lime pickle · nimbu achar · hot lime pickle

Three ways to read this recipe

The table

Lime Pickle: ingredients down the left, what to do with them across. Tap any cell to cross it off.
1 Tbsfenugreek seedstoast 1 min, until they darkengrind coarsefry in 1 min off the heatstir together, jar, and stand 7 days more
2 Tbsbrown mustard seeds
3 TbsKashmiri chile powder
1/2 tspasafoetida
3/4 cup(180 mL; heated to smoking, then taken off and cooled to warm)mustard oil
12(quartered lengthwise, seeds picked out)limessalt and stand 7 days in the sun, shaken daily
1/3 cup(80 g)kosher salt
1 Tbsground turmeric
Mustard oil is heated to smoking and cooled before use. The first week is the salt breaking down the pith
Tap anything to cross it off.

What to lay out

Everything the recipe asks for, sitting under the step that eats it. Tick each one as you measure it.11 things to get out.

Pans and tools

1toast 1 min, until they darken

2salt and stand 7 days in the sun, shaken daily

4fry in 1 min off the heat

goes in with what step 3 made

Cooking it

Tap a step when it is done; the next one lights up.

The clock

Start to finish
at least 14 days1 of 5 steps gives no time
Needs you
about 2 min
If you get it wrong
Unforgiving — the oil has to stand above the limes at all times; anything that breaks the surface goes mouldy and the jar is finished
  1. salt and stand 7 days in the sun, shaken daily

    7 dayswalk awayfrom the start

  2. toast 1 min, until they darken

    1 minneeds youfrom the start

  3. grind coarse

    not timed1 min in

  4. fry in 1 min off the heat

    1 minneeds you1 min in

  5. stir together, jar, and stand 7 days more

    7 dayswalk away7 days in

You'll need jar · skillet · spice grinder

Goes with

See how it is written
>> title: Lime Pickle
>> category: Dressings & Dips
>> tags: indian, lime, pickle, chiles, condiment
>> counters: Curry House
>> aka: nimbu ka achar, lime achar, indian lime pickle, nimbu achar, hot lime pickle
>> pairs-with: papadom, raita
>> servings: 2 cups
>> time: 14 days
>> slack: unforgiving — the oil has to stand above the limes at all times; anything that breaks the surface goes mouldy and the jar is finished

>> step: salt and stand 7 days in the sun, shaken daily
Rest @limes{12}(quartered lengthwise, seeds picked out) under @kosher salt{1/3%cup}(80 g) and @ground turmeric{1%Tbs} in a clean #jar{} ~stand{7%days} on a sunny windowsill, shaking it daily until the skins go soft and translucent.

>> step: toast 1 min, until they darken
Toast @fenugreek seeds{1%Tbs} and @brown mustard seeds{2%Tbs} in a dry #skillet{} ~toast{1%min}, until they darken a shade — fenugreek goes bitter about four seconds after it goes brown, so pull the pan early.

>> step: grind coarse
Grind @&(~1)toasted seeds{} coarsely in a #spice grinder{}.

>> step: fry in 1 min off the heat
Fry @&(~1)ground seeds{}, @Kashmiri chile powder{3%Tbs} and @asafoetida{1/2%tsp} in @mustard oil{3/4%cup}(180 mL; heated to smoking, then taken off and cooled to warm) ~fry{1%min}, off the heat, in the residual warmth of the pan.

>> step: stir together, jar, and stand 7 days more
Stir @&(~4)cured limes and their brine{} into @&(~1)spiced oil{}, pack it all back into the jar so the oil covers everything, and ~stand{7%days} before opening.

Mustard oil is heated to smoking and cooled before use. The first week is the salt breaking down the pith.