Stuffed Capsicum/Bell Peppers

The Bell Peppers need to be cooked through to really enjoy this dish.The stuffing can be modified as per one's taste. I was inspired to make these again after seeing Sunitha's blog. Sunitha has recently joined the blogging world. Her blog has a beautiful template and she does have an interesting collection of recipes.

Now, stuffed bell peppers are a definite hit if the stuffing tastes great. It's just like most of the other chaat items - samosa, kachori.

partially stuffed bell peppers

All ready to be eaten with dal and roti

Just before they were zapped in the microwave

Equipment used :

• Gas
• Microwave

Time taken :

Preparation time : 10 minutes

Cooking time : 30 minutes including time to boil potatoes

Difficulty  : Easy

Ingredients (serves 4):

1. Green bell peppers/capsicum - 2
2. 3 large potatoes
3. 1/2 cup green peas
4. 1 onion chopped
5. 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
6. 1 tsp oil + a little more to coat on the bell peppers
7. 1 tsp saunf/fennel seeds
8. 1 tbsp kasuri methi
9. 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
10. 1/2 tsp cumin powder
11. 1/2 tsp coriander powder
12. 1 tsp garam masala
13. 1/4 tsp amchur powder
14. 2 tbsp chopped cashew bits (optional)
15. A few raisins chopped (optional)
16. Salt to taste
17. 4 tbsp grated cheese

How I made it :

1. Slice the bell peppers into two lengthwise. Deseed them. These will serve as our cups. Spread oil on the outer side of the cups.
2. Boil the potatoes till completely cooked. 
3. Peel the potatoes and mash.
4. In a pan, heat oil.
5. Add the saunf seeds and kasuri methi.
6. Add the onions once the saunf starts to brown.
7. If using frozen peas, cover with water and zap in microwave for 2 minutes. If using fresh peas, zap for longer.
8. When the onions are translucent, add the ginger garlic paste.
9. When the raw smell goes away, add the green peas.
10. After a minute, add the red chilly poweder, coriander powder, cumin powder, amchur powder and garam masala powder.
11. Adjust salt.
12. Add mashed potatoes.
13. Fry for a minute.
14. Turn off heat. Divide the mixture into 4.
15. Put each part into a capsicum cup. Sprinkle with cheese on top.
16. Zap in microwave on high for 10 minutes, until the skin starts to wrinkle.
17. I optionally placed them after zapping on my hot tawa, which was ready for rotis, for two minutes covered. This helps give it a char enhancing the taste.