Besanwali shimla mirch / Bell pepper fry with gram flour

Capsicum besan subzi is a Maharashtrian style dry side dish which can be served along with rice or with chapati/ roti.  It is very easy to make and makes use of very few ingredients.  Eaten raw, bell peppers are sweet and crunchy but becomes soft on cooking.  Bell pepper / capsicum with a great blend of spices, makes a very enjoyable side dish.  This can be a complement with any dish.  The main ingredients used in this dish is capsicum and gram flour.  The roasted gram flour gives a unique taste to this dish.  One main thing to be noted while making this dish is that the besan / gram flour should be roasted well until you get a nice roasted smell, otherwise the raw taste of gram flour will make the curry bitter.  Another important point to be noted is the way in which roasted gram flour to be added.  Add 1 tablespoon of roasted gram flour at a time. Don’t add water while cooking. This is a very tasty side dish and is very easy to prepare.  I served it with dal curry and rice, but we all liked it with roti more.

Capsicum / bell pepper has got various health benefits including the ability to control diabetes and obesity.  Capsicum is also called as simla mirch. It is an excellent source of carotenoids.  Along with that this vegetable also has high amounts of antioxidants.


besanwali-simla-mirch

Ingredients

  • capsicum  – 3 medium
  • onion   – 1 (finely chopped)
  • ginger garlic paste   – 1 teaspoon
  • green chili   – 2 (finely chopped)
  • cumin seeds  – 1/2 teaspoon
  • turmeric powder  – 1/4 teaspoon
  • coriander powder   – 2 teaspoon
  • red chili powder  – 1/2 teaspoon
  • mustard seeds  – 1/2 teaspoon
  • besan / gram flour  – 3 tablespoon
  • oil  – 3 tablespoon
  • salt  – to taste
  • Kasuri methi  – 1 tablespoon

HOW TO MAKE BESANWALI SIMLA MIRCH

  •   Wash and clean capsicum, remove the seeds and cut into cubes.  Keep aside.
  •   Dry roast besan / gram flour in low flame till it starts releasing a nice aroma.
  •   In a pan, heat oil.  Splutter mustard seeds.  Then add cumin seeds.  Wait till it sizzles.
  •  Then add chopped onion, ginger garlic paste, and green and saute till onion turns light brownish in color. besanwali-simla-mirch-1
  •  Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder and mix well.   Saute till the raw smell goes off.
  •  Now add chopped capsicum pieces and salt.  Mix well.  Cook uncovered till capsicum gets cooked well
  •  Next add besan / gram flour one tablespoon at a time and mix well so that the gram flour gets combined well with capsicum.  Add 1 tablespoon of oil and keep mixing in medium flame for 5 – 6 minutes.  Do not cover at this stage.  besanwali-simla-mirch-2
  • Garnish with coriander leaves.
  • Serve hot with rice, pulka or chapati.bell-pepper-curry

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