Capsicum :
Capsicum is a genus of flowering plants that comes under the family of Solanaceae. It is said cultivated widely all around the world and it is said to be native to America. The cultivation of capsicum has been in practice in America for more than thousands of years. Capsicum is not just used as a food vegetable and spice but also as a medicine. It has variety of names like bell peppers and chili peppers since it matches to the taste of normal peppers. Capsicum has enormous medicinal and nutritious values. The compound capsaicin present in capsicum helps in blocking the transmission of pain from the skin to the spinal cord which helps to cure neuralgia. Capsicum is also good in preventing blood clotting. It is also used for the treatment of various problems like intestinal gas, digestion problems, toothache and fever. One of the main use of capsicum is it is very much good to heart and helps in preventing heart diseases and high cholesterol.
Here I'm sharing a recipe that I saw in a cookery show. I tried it with some modifications. My first try of Stuffed capsicum came out well.
Stuffed Capsicum :
Ingredients :
( For serving two )
Onions ( finely chopped) - 2 no.s ( big)
Beans ( finely chopped) - 8 no.s
Carrot ( grated) - 2 no.s ( big)
Potato ( steamed and smashed) - 2 no.s
Capsicum - 2 no.s ( big)
Green chili ( finely chopped) - 2 no.s
Cumin seeds - 1 tbsp
Ginger-garlic paste - 2 tbsp
Turmeric powder - A pinch
Red chili powder - 2 tbsp
Coriander powder - 1/2 tbsp
Cumin powder - 1/2 tbsp
Garam masala powder - 1/2 tbsp
Groundnut/peanut powder - 1 tbsp
For garnishing :
Paneer/ Cheese ( optional )
Coriander leaves
Method :
First steam some potatoes in pressure cooker, smash it and keep aside. Then take a pan / kadai and add some oil to it. Once the oil becomes heat add cumin seeds to it and allow it to splutter. Then add chopped onions, grated carrots, chopped beans to it and saute it for a while. Now add all the powders ( tumeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, coriander powder, cumin powder) and sprinkle some water to it. Now close the pan / kadai for two mins. Then add smashed potatoes, salt and groundnut / peanut powder at the end and mix it well. The stuffing is ready now.
Now coming to the capsicum part, remove the stem and seeds inside the capsicum so as you can get it like a cup as shown in the picture above. Now take a vessel which is capable enough to insert the capsicums. Now boil some water in that vessel containing these capsicums for 5 mins. Then take it outside and let it cool.
Note : If you want the capsicum to be more crunchy you can avoid putting it in the boil water.
Now apply some oil to the capsicums ( both outside and inside). If you want avoid cholesterol use little oil. Then stuff the masala done previously. Finally grate some paneer / cheese above it. It is optional . Now fry these capsicums in a pan / kadai until the outer green color changes to light brown. Serve hot.
Try it and share your feedback's :)
