Peas Capsicum Pulao

PEAS CAPSICUM RICE
It was a usual weekend day, when brother called in short notice that he is coming home . I was bit confused what to make for lunch cuz we were running short of veggies. Then found an almost finished packet of peas in the freezer and 2 capsicums. An idea blinked on mind and thus happened this pulao.Also made a Beef Potato curry to go with it .

This is my entry to Chaitra's Rice feast event . Check out !

Things needed :
Basmati Rice - 1 kg
Peas - 1 big cup
Red Capsicum - 2
Onion - 2 big , sliced
Green chillies - 2 or 3 slit
Ginger - Garlic paste - 2 tbsp
Bay leaves - 3 , broken
Cardamom - 3 , seeds crushed
Cloves - 10
Cinnamon - 4 - 5 small pieces
Mint leaves - 2 spring

Cashew nuts
Raisins
Ghee , vegetable oil
Salt - 3 + 1/2 tsp for rice , 1/2 tsp for capsicum

Preparation method :
Wash & drain the rice.
Heat some Ghee in a deep vessel in which you want to make fried rice.
Fry the nuts , raisins ( ready to take when looks plum) , slit green chillies & Onions in order.
Onion should be well fried and brown . Keep the fried things aside.

Add the Cloves,Cardamom ,Cinnamon sticks in the Ghee.
When the cloves starts to splutter , add the Ginger - Garlic paste and saute.
Now add the peas and drained rice. Add enough water , 3 + 1/2 tsp salt and allow to cook .
Note : Usually the water added is double the measure of rice. But it would be perfect if you add a little bit less than the double measure.
When there is enough steam in the vessel ( water starts dropping from the lid) , lower down the heat and cook the rice in very low temperature . ( I usually turn offs the heat) .

Meantime we can prepare Capsicum . Heat Ghee ( you can also use vege. oil) in a nonstick pan. Add Capsicum and saute until it is slightly soft . Season with salt and keep aside.

When the rice is done check with a fork to see if the water has been absorbed .
Then toss in the Capsicum , Fried onions, nuts , raisins and chopped Mint leaves . Mix with the fork. Close the lid and keep for 5 min. Peas - Capsicum pulao is ready now .
Serve with a Yogurt- onion- tomato salad and papad.
I served it with salad and Beef Potato curry.

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Colourful , Flavorful Capsicum Rice

CAPSICUM RICE - BELL PEPPER RICE

Things needed :

Green Bell pepper 1
Red Bell pepper 1
Yellow Bell pepper 1
Orange Bell pepper 1

Basmati rice - 1 kg
Onion 1
Ginger- Garlic chopped -2 sp ( 1 sp each)




2 Bay leaves broken,
2-3 cinnamon sticks broken,
cloves -20

Needed for cooking the rice :

Chilly powder -- 1 sp
Coriander - 1/2 sp
Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp.
salt - 4 tsp

Needed for preparing the Bell Peppers :

chilly powder - 1/2 sp
Turmeric -1/4 tsp
salt - 1 tsp

Preparation method :

Heat Ghee in a vessel .
Add the spices . 2 bay leaves broken, 2-3 cinnamon sticks broken, cloves -20
When the cloves splutters , start adding spices.
Remove the vessel from the fire, so that the spices wont get burn.
Add chilly powder , coriander & turmeric. Saute.
Add a little bit water if the vessel is too hot.
Don't add a lot.
Mix in Basmati rice . Saute.
Fry the rice uniformly by sauteing.

Add water double the measure of the rice ( Its also o.k. if the water is a lil bit less than double) & cook covering a lid.

While the rice is cooking we can prepare the Bell Peppers to add in the rice.


Taking a small pause in my recipe I want to say how beautiful these Capsicums are , reminds me of Indian national flag somehow with its rich red , orange - green colors. Even the rice that we are making now is extremely colorful. So lets go back to recipe.





Now,heat some Ghee in a pan. Add Ginger-Garlic chopped .
When starts spreading its flavor, Add Onion. Saute 1 min. Add Green chillies.
Saute till the onion becomes transparent & chillies become slightly cooked.
Add in the cut Bell Peppers . Saute for 1 min.
Add salt , Turmeric & Chilly powder . Mix. Cook for around 5 min., sauteing in between(not continuously) , until it becomes slightly cooked . Take care not to mash them. The basic idea is to have them slightly crispy.









Using a fork check in between to see if the rice is done.
The water should be perfectly absorbed . If the rice is ready , add the cooked Bell Peppers












& the fried raisins and mix gently using a fork.
Your Capsicum rice is ready to be served .

Have a closer view. A perfect treat for your eyes & appetite.Try it and let me know.

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Vegetable Stir Fry

MIXED VEGETABLE STIR FRY

This dish is basically made from all vegs you have in refri. ,
which can make a healthy side dish for rice, stuffing for your sandwich etc.

Things needed :

Cauliflower 1/2 of a cauli.
Carrots 3
Green Beans a dozen (the same quantity as carrots)
Green chillies 4
Capsicum 1/2
Onions 1 +1/2
Turmeric 1/2 sp
Chilly powder 1/4 sp

Servings : 6 persons

Preparation method :

Cut the vegetables in thin long pieces.
Heat 4 sp oil in a non stick pan .
Saute cauliflower first in this for 3 min. Then add other cut vegetables (Carrots,Fresh Green Beans,Onions,Capsicum,Green Chillies)
Saute all & fry open for sometime until the vegetables looses crispiness & turns like transparent.
Then add the 1/2 sp turmeric & 1/4 sp chilly & enough salt . Mix well.
After that cook covered , saute in between until it is done.
Don't saute a lot after its well cooked ..it will mash up.. from experience ;)



Serve with rice accompanying a dal curry or rasam or some meat ..


I used to have it in my refrigerator most of the times & whenever hunger strikes (even if it is midnight) I used to make a sandwich with it . Tasty & satisfying.. ;)






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