Spicy Pickles with Basil
1 small cucumber, peeled and sliced
½ cup (25 g) bean sprouts, seed coats and tails discarded, blanched
2 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced
1 red finger-length chili, deseeded and sliced
1 to 2 bitd’s-eye chiies, deseeded and sliced
2 spring Asian basil, minced
3 tablespoons coarsely ground raw almonds, cashews or candlenuts
¼ teaspoon dried shrimp paste (Trasi), dry-roasted
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice
¼ teaspoon sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 to 2 tablespoons warm water
Method:
- Place the sliced cucumber and bean sprouts in abowl, then spread thr sliced shallot, chilies and basil on top
- Combine the remaining ingredients in another bowl and mix well to make a thick sauce. Drizzle the sauce over the vegetables, mix well and set aside to cure for 2 to 3 hours. If storing the pickles, keep the vegetables and sauce separate. This pickle keeps for a week in the refrigerator
source: authentic food recipes from Indonesia, Heinz von Helzen