Thursday, February 19, 2009

Stuffed Capsicum ~ Amchi style

Our cuisine is mainly dominated by coconuts. Though I love traditional food I try to avoid the use of coconuts as they are not easily available here and for health reasons too. So once in a week or twice I make dishes with coconut. This is one of my mom's signature dish. I had almost forgotten this dish as I had not made it for almost a year. The other day when I was chatting with amma I was asking her for idea's for dinner. It was then she suggested this dish. We love capsicums in any form so I decided to make this for dinner. This can either be served with plain rice and Daalithoy or with phulka, dosa. 
Here is what's needed:
3 small green Capsicums 
2 large Onions chopped
1.5 cups grated coconut
6-8 red chilli's
a small piece of Tamarind
1 tbsp Coriander seeds
1/2 tsp Fenugreek seeds
Salt to taste
1 tsp Mustard seeds
6-8 Curry leaves
Procedure:
1) Wash the capsicum well and pat dry. Cut off the top. Keep aside.
2) Heat 1 tbsp oil. Fry coriander seeds and Fenugreek seeds until they turn pinkish. Remove and keep aside. In the same pan fry the red chilli's until slightly crisp. Take care not to burn any spices.
3) Grind grated coconut + red chilli's + coriander seeds + fenugreek seeds + tamarind + salt with little water until it forms a smooth paste.
4) Add 1/2 of the chopped onions to the ground masala. 
5) Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add curry leaves and fry for few seconds. Add the rest of the chopped onions with little salt and fry until golden.
6) Meanwhile fill the capsicums with the ground masala. Reserve the remaining masala. (I had large capsicums in hand so I cut them and filled).
7) Slide the stuffed capsicums into the Onions. Keep the heat on low. Add the remaining masala and water. Mix slightly and let it cook covered till done. The capsicums taste good when they are done but still crunchy. Do not overcook it. 

18 comments:

Finla said...

Looks so yumm.

FH said...

Same with Mysore people too, too much coconut in everything eveyday! In fact, I am using a whole coconut for Shiva Ratri oota, which is unusual for us here, but once in a while on a festival day it's okay I think! :D

Capsicum dish looks yum, masale sounds wonderful. Enjoy! :))

lubnakarim06 said...

Wow spicy and tangy......

Ashwini said...

wow looks yummy..We too use too much coconut..but now I have reduced a lot..

Namrata Kini said...

We call this type of dish as Saglen (whole) because the vegetable in not cut into pieces. I make it with small Eggplants. Authentic amchi food Ujwal.

Paru ... said...

Wow lovely capsicum Masala Ujwal..My first time here and loved the collection of dishes you have..Being from Karnataka, coconut is like oxygen to our food too :)..

Deepa Hari said...

Capsicum with masala looks lovely.

Dershana said...

new capsicum stuffing as far as i'm concerned. sounds interesting!

AnuSriram said...

Looks like a wonderful stuffing for capsicum. Will try this! Delicious!

Varsha Vipins said...

Totally new to me dear..I must say this is a fab recipe..tempting me to try..:)

Manju said...

tell me about trying to cut down on coconut..even all the traditional kerala recipes are with coconut and I am used to that..it is difficult trying to cut down but i think ive managed to do that..the stuffed capsicum looks fabulous!

Unknown said...

Seeing more coconut based recipes today, since i don't get fresh coconut here, I am craving them even more:(
Capsicum with coconuts and spices looks delicious.

Cham said...

Coconut and capsi very new recipe, and delicous too.

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

i am always short of capsicum recipes.. i usually put in mixed veg or sambar.. this is a useful recipe. will try it./ bookmarked.

Sunshinemom said...

This is a very tasty dish. Must confess I wasn't attracted when I saw it my friend's lunchbox but one bite and I just could not stop! Thanks for the recipe:)

Uj said...

Thank you all for your comments.

Unknown said...

looks yummy..love the recipe..

CurryLeaf said...

Love the masala with anything I must add.With capsicum its perfect.