Jul 14, 2007

Capsicum Masala

When you stay away from home, friends become family. In fact, they become everything - neighbours, guides, mentors, relatives, and critics. You try to search for familiar relations in their faces, and someone looks like your sister, brother, or aunt. We have been in the US for almost a year now. Having never been away from home, it was tough for me to adjust at first. But then I started surviving with the help of so many friends staying nearby.

The apartment complex where we stay is home to many Indians. There are approximately 35-40 Indians staying in our complex. These people work in the same organization, take the same bus to office, and eat their lunch together. I have known most of them having worked in the same organization earlier. We all are pretty close-knit family. We spend some weekends playing UNO, going for bowling, or visiting each other. One such tradition that we have here is inviting people for dinner either to know them better, or cook something special for close friends, or treat farewell when they are going back to India.

Our dear friends P and S had invited us for dinner sometime back. P took loads of efforts and almost spent the entire day cooking. Amongst the plethora of dishes she had cooked, Capsicum Masala was one that we had not eaten before. Now, my husband is not a capsicum fan, whereas I love capsicum in all forms - I even eat it raw:). I am always trying new methods for hubby to like capsicum. Luckily, he liked this vegetable at the dinner party. So I whisked the recipe from P and made it at home.

Capsicum Masala


Serves: 4

Ingredients

  1. 2 green peppers (capsicums) - washed and chopped into chunks
  2. 2 medium onions - sliced thin
  3. 2 tomatoes - washed and chopped roughly
  4. 1 tsp oil
  5. 1 tbsp crushed peanut powder
  6. 1 tbsp cashew pieces
  7. 1 tsp garam masala powder
  8. 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
  9. Salt to taste

Method

  1. Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan over medium flame. Add the sliced onions and fry till the onions turn light brown.
  2. Add the tomatoes and cook till the tomatoes turn soft.
  3. Add the peanut powder and cashew pieces. Fry for 3-4 minutes.
  4. Transfer the above mixture in a blender and blend till it's a smooth paste. Add 1/4 cup water.
  5. Heat a pan and add the above paste to it. Stir for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Next, add 1 tsp garam masala, salt to taste, and 1/2 tsp red chilli powder. Mix well and cook for 5-6 minutes.
  7. Add the chopped capsicum and mix. Cover cooked on low heat till the capsicum cooks. This should take around 15 minutes.
  8. Turn off the heat and serve hot with rotis/parathas/puris.

Verdict: We fell in love with this sabzi. In fact, P who's not a great fan of capsicums, appreciated something made from capsicums for the first time:)The gravy turned out superb. We decided that we could use the same gravy with other veggies such as peas, cauliflower, brinjals, and paneer.

18 comments:

Tee said...

This is something new...looks yummy! Since capsicums are in abundance out here, its always good to find new recipes for them. :)

musical said...

Bell peppers are my favorite! yummy recipe, Swaps.with pooris, this is gonna' be a great hit.

Coffee said...

They are my favourites too..... and I eat them raw as well! :D
This one is a must try!!

Jyothi said...

Hi Swapna! Here mostly we are getting bell peppers. But I know only capsicum tomato curry. I am getting bore with this curry. Now-a-days I am searching for new recipes. yours tempting me to prepare immediately. Looks great. Thanks for sharing.

Suganya said...

So peanut powder is the secret, Aha! I like yr thought process Swapna, now and in previous other instances.

Bong Mom said...

I am not a capsicum fan either..but I liked the Marathi perun bhaji so much..that its become aregular at my home now. Hope this would turn out a fav too.

I love your complex, such inpromptu get togethers are so rare here

Laavanya said...

That looks really good and rich. Will try it out sometime soon and let you know. Thanks!

FH said...

Good to read all the Indians at one place and enjoying each other's company.Sounds like great fun:))
I love Capsicums,that dish looks delicious.Thanks for posting.

Swapna said...

Tee: Do try it and let me know how you like it.
Musical: Yeah, this sabzi wud taste even better with puris. Shall make puris next time.
Coffee: Anything for the love of capsicums:).
Jyothi: Thanks for the comment. I am sure you will fall in love with this veggie, just as we have.
Suganya: Peanut powder it is, combined with some cashews.
Sandeepa: To tell u the truth, I am not a big fan of the peeth perun bhaji. I don't like very dry sabzis.Do try this and let me know how u find it.
Lavanya: Glad you liked this sabzi.
Asha: We sure have loads of fun. Thanks for the comment.

Anonymous said...

Can I move in your apartment complex Sapna? I don't have a single friend in this place. Not that I get bored, because I have lots of other stuff to do, but I really love being with friends. You must have known that already ;).

Sabzi looks great. I will try this sometime soon.

Unknown said...

i love capsicum...will definately try thsi recipe....:)

Jyothi said...

Hi Swapna! just now I prepared your this capsicum masala recipe. Turned out very very tasty. Even my hubby liked it very much. Thanks a lot. In my blog, I am going to post this recipe very soon. Once again thanks a lot.

Tee said...

hey,
you have been tagged.
http://bhaatukli.blogspot.com/

Swapna said...

Shilpa: You are welcome anytime, dear!:)
Supriya: Do try and let me know how it turns out.
Jyothi: You are fast, girl!:). Glad you both liked the sabzi.
Tee: Thanks for the tag! Will write it asap:)

TBC said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anita said...

really enjoyed eating capsicums for the first time. thanks to u

shubha ravi said...

I tried this at my home it was very tasty

prasad said...

it was awesome...i was searching for this kind of gravy and i found it here.....wow!tasted great...thanz a lot for the recipie