Penang Famous Nyonya "Acar-Awak" (Mix Vege Relish)

This special recipe, has been passed down for 3 generations from my Grandma. She used to make and sell it at Pulau Tikus, Penang wet market. It is one of my favourite dish. Nyonya "Acar-Awak" or Mix Vege Relish is a showcase of a Nyonya delicacy that has become a trademark of Nyonya Kitchen. You can make it for party and also store well in refrigerator. Here's how you make this authentic dish.

ACAR-AWAK

Ingredients:

4tbsp ground peanuts
8tbsp sugar
1tbsp turmeric powder
200gm tamarind juice
10 blended shallots (or 4 big red onions)
4tbsp blended dry chili
3pcs cube prawn paste (balacan)
2 cucumber
8 big cabbage leafs
2 carrots
1/2 Kati long beans
Oil
Sesame seed

(Make sure all your vege are fresh from the market)
Here's how you prepare the ingredients:

Long Beans & Carrots cut into short strips

Cucumber cut into smaller cubes

Cabbage

Turmeric


Add water into tamarind and press the juice out


Dry roast sesame seed in pan until golden

Use a mortar to grind the sesame seed

Baked blended peanuts


Blended Onions, dry chili & prawn paste


Method:
Heat wok with oil
Stir fry blended onions, dry chili and prawn paste until fragrant
(Make sure all the 3 mix thoroughly)
Add little bit more oil
Add in all the vege, stir until the chili paste mix all together
Add in turmeric powder and tamarind juice
Stir until everything is well mixed
Make sure the vegetables are just cooked through, but still crisp
Mix in peanuts and stir
Sprinkle some sesame seed before serving

Optional - If you can finish it at one serving, you can add pineapple.
If you intend to cook a lot and keep it in refrigerator, do not add pineapple.
Pineapple tends to release lots of juice and make the dish too soggy.

Acar-Awak

This recipe is dedicated to my late Grandma, who has make this special dish for the family for the past 30yrs. Thank you Grandma.