Capsicum fry/ Green pepper fry/Bell pepper

I was not that great fan of peppers n i never gave them a place in my curries. I jus use them for sauce n chutneys'. Yesterday, my husband asked me to cook capsicum( he rem'd his bachelor days n asked me to cook. They always used to have jus 3 curries 4 whole week- ---dal curry, capsicum, non veg curries..)

So, i thought of cooking capsicum and not knowing how to cook this veggies. I immediately  called my mom, n asked her how to prepare capsicum fry.She is always a life saver, sweet mom. she gave me the recipe n i started cooking...

Source: Amma

Preparation time: 10mins

Cooking time: 20mins

Ingredients:

Capsicum: 2-3, chopped into chunks

Onion: Finely chopped

Green chili: 2, chopped

Ginger garlic paste: 1tsp

Mustard seeds: 1tsp

Cumin seeds: 1 tsp

Peanuts or Cashews: 2tbsp

Sesame seeds: 2tsp( optional, but it gives very good taste to curry)

Dry powder: 1/2 cup(see below)

Garam masala: 1/2tsp

Coriander powder: 1/2 tsp

Red chili powder: 1tsp

Salt: to taste

Turmeric: 1tsp

Cilantro: to garnish

Preparation: 

 Dry powder: 

I always keep this powder handy. I use this powder mainly in dry curries especially in eggplant n bitter gourd.

Dry roast each ingredient individually until they leave their raw smell.

• Peanuts: 1 cup.
• Channa dal/ Pachi senaga pappu: 1cup
• Urad dal: 1cup
• Grated coconut: 1cup(optional)
• Coriander seeds: 2tbsp
• Sesame seeds: 2tbsp
• Cumin seeds: 1tsp
• peppercorns: 1tsp
• Cloves: 1/2tsp
• Fenugreek seeds/menthulu: 1/2tsp
• Cinnamon: 1inch piece
• Red chili: 7-8, or to taste

Take all ingredients in to  a blender  n grind them into a coarse powder. Keep this powder handy. It saves u lot of time n u can use this powder in any dry curries.

Lets come to the main part:

1) In a skillet, heat oil n add mustard seeds. Let them splutter n add cumin seeds. Fry for30 secs. 

2)Add peanuts n fry for 1 min. Now add sesame seeds n fry for 30 secs.

3) Add, onions n green chili. Fry until onions are translucent.

4) Add, ginger garlic paste , turmeric n fry for 1 min.

5) Now add, capsicum chunks n a pinch of salt. Fry them covered for 10 mins on medium -low heat.

6) Add chili powder, salt, coriander powder n mix it well. Cover it n cook for another 5 mins or until the skin of capsicum pieces is tender.

7) Now add, dry powder and garam masala n cook for another 2 mins uncovered.

8) Adjust spices according to your taste n garnish with cilantro.

Enjoy dry capsicum fry with rice , chapathi..