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Tuesday, December 5, 2006


Bharwan Shimla Mirch (Stuffed Bell Peppers)





Capsicum /Shimla Mirch(Capsicum annum) belongs to Solanaceae family(Eggplant/tomato family or Night -shade family) , commonly known as bell peppers , they are used in salads , stir/fry , salsas , stews, soups and curries also .Bell peppers come in so attractive colours red ,orange,yellow are all riped and are sweet in taste more , and green is unriped variety .

They are known to be first grown in South America , and then gain popularity in other parts of world .Rich source of Vitamin C & D, Red peppers contain Lycopene and B –carotene both useful for better eye-sight They also contain Vit B6 and Folic Acid (Red and Orange) useful in reducing the risk of cardio-vascular diseases.

While buying look for the skin to be blemish free ,deep colours and skin intact , they should feel heavy for their size , the stem should be fresh and green .The peak season is July to November , but now , these are available throughout the year, Check your Local grocery stores and Farmers Market for the Organic Variety also .They are paired finely with Tomatoes,Potatoes ,squash ,garlic and onions ..all goes well into curry. They are heavily used in Pizza and Mexican Salsas , like Soffrito etc...

They can be refrigerated easily ,blanching not required , but whole and intact bell peppers freezes well , as there is not much air that is able to go inside it.. here is the recipe for baked Shimla Mirch or Bharwan Shimla Mirch .

Recipe Requirements
~2 large green bell pepper
~3-4 cloves garlic chopped
~1 inch ginger chopped

~1 Onion
~some cashews/pine nuts
~some raisins
~1 tbs of red pepper powder
~½ tbs corriander powder
~½ tbs cumin powder

~ 1tbs of Mc Cormick garlic pepper seasoning (California style)
~2 Large Boiled potatoes


Method
~Heat oil and fry the onions/garlic/ginger for some 5 mints at low , add the dry seasoning .
~Add the tomatoes and fry for some more times , when the oil seems to come out of the sides , stop it cooking .
~Mash the potatoes with spoon while hot and add the prepared masala to the mashed potatoes ,add salt as per taste ..add cashews and raisins.
~Preheat the oven at 350 F( 175 deg C )

~Meanwhile cut an incision at the top and cut the cap and stem take out the seeds with spoon or better feel free to use your hands and stuff the potato mixture to the bell pepper with a spoon .

~Now in a cassorole dish , spread tomato sauce (can use jarred pasta sauce also), place the stuffed bell pepper over it and bake it for 50 mints flipping the side in between ,cook till a brown crust develops over the bell pepper .
~At the final 5 mints sprinkle some shredded cheese ( I use cheddar cheese, can use Mozzerella also) and bake it for just 2 mints till it melts..
~Take out and serve with roti or rice of your preference.


~Bharwan shimla mirch can also be prepared by frying in oil , heat a kadai/saucepan , add oil and gently set the peppers inside , cover and low the flame , approx 7-10 mints and then again change the sides of pepper , cover and cook for approx 7 mints . When you can see its roasted or a brown crust develops take it out and serve .Enjoy with Roti/Chawaal/Bhaat or as is ...

We can not do all great things , but we can do small things with great love.-Mother Teresa

Have you really pondered for some moments that we are much blessed by God for providing a shelter home , food to eat and money to spend .There are millions of those underpriveledged who don’t have anything to eat or live life on streets , No luxary to afford , Children living their life on begging and collecting garbage from road sides with no hope for a better Tommorrow ..If your heart melts for them then participate in bringing the goals set by Gracious VKN. For more details go To Vcc-q4-2006-you-can-cook-for-fahc and Fahc-campaign .

Some more recipes next time , Bon Apettite and Happy Cooking .

27 comments:

  1. Very nice recipe and a very thought provocative write up
    Great entry for the campaign

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  2. Great info about Capsicums!! I love the recipe with cheese and tomato sauce.Sounds great:))

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  3. Wow Mantu- this looks amazing and can be baked too... Will definitely try it. Thanks for sharing

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  4. Beautiful recipe...! Looks so good, I loved the quote by Mother Teresa too...thanks for info. on peppers too!

    Trupti

    dear Trupti'
    do try it and let me know.

    dear mandira.
    yes baked bell peppers are so nice , try it .you will like it.

    dear Asha'
    the gravy with tomato sauce and cheese makes it very yummy .thanks for coming by

    Dear Sandeepa'
    i wrote what I felt for them .
    and do try the recipe ,

    do participate and contribute for the noble cause .
    hugs and smiles to all of you
    jaya

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  5. kothay jacho, break niye :)
    taratari fire esho

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  6. Jayashree...great recipe...i love peppers..gotta try this dish...thanks for sharing...~smile~

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  7. Nice contribution to the FAHC project.

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  8. Hi Jaya,
    good info about this vegetable. and great entry for FAHC project.
    thanks for sharing
    -Pooja

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  9. Hi Jaya - neat preparation. Thanks for sharing. You have chosen a very nice quote - so meaningful and an inspiring one.

    Are you sending this great dish to be included in our group book project? Cheers!

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  10. dear Sandeepa'
    desher meye desh ferot jache, aami asbo phire abaar .

    dear jayashree,
    thanks for stoping by, its great to hear from you
    Hugs and smiles to both of you .

    Dilip Ji ,
    welcome to my small world, do try it and let me know .

    VKN,
    thanks for your encouraging words
    yes , I will be sending this to be included .
    warm regards
    jaya

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  11. Delicious recipe and great pictures ,Thanks for sharing them!

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  12. This is a delicious recipe ! thanks for sharing

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  13. Just stopped in to say hello.Thanks for sharing this recipe and a really nice write up.

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  14. dear Lera, thanks buddy for comin here ..
    Dear Krithika ,
    Thanks for your encoraging words .and welcome here buddy .
    Dear Starry ,
    Hi how are you feeling now ,
    I do really appreciate you for coming by here , Thanks for stoping by

    Hugs and smiles to all of you everybody have Happy Holidays
    Hugs and smiles
    Jayashree

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  15. hey Jayashree:
    These stuffed Peppers look so yummy.With all the masala stuffing inside and with cheese on top this must have been tasting devine isn't it.Can't wait to try them.
    Thanx
    Seema

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  16. Jayashree:
    your stuffed capsicum look soooooo beautiful lady...just mouthwatering....filled with masala stuffing topped with cheese must have been delicious isn't it?
    Thanx for sharing buddy
    -
    seema

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  17. Hope you're okay! No recipe from you in a while...Take care.

    Trupti

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  18. Hi. This looks great.will try and write again

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  19. hi all ,
    thanks for stoping by here,
    Trupti I am ok , now in India , will take some time for settling here , i will catch all you of soon .
    In the meantime happy cooking ...
    Jaya

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  20. Very nice recipe! and the words from Mother Theresa are so right.Thanks.

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  21. Happy Holidays Mantu. You must be having a blast @ Kol
    Come back when you get time

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  22. Dear Shaheen thanks for coming by .
    Dear Sandeepa , life is busy here in Kol , I am enjoying my short break and holidays here , In fact we are still in the settling process ..
    everybody have merry christmas and happy new year .....
    hugs and smiles
    Jaya

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  23. Wonderful twist to stuffed bell-peppers by adding cheese to it...good one.

    Happy Holidays!

    Cheers, Nidhi.

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  24. Wishing peace, health, and happiness in 2007 and always. Happy New year to you and your family !

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  25. hi jaya,
    wishing u and ur family happy new yr... tc girl
    cheers
    supriya

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  26. First time commenting here. Very nice blog you have here, Jayashree.

    Nice recipe using capsicums. And I just love that quote.

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  27. This looks delicious.am going to make it today...u know my favourite is always bell papers na??wish me luck..

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