475: Capsicum Puli Kuzhambhu/ Bell Pepper Tamarind Curry

 Prep Time : 10 mins

 Cook Time : 20 mins 
 Serves:           3-4 People
 Recipe Category: Kuzhambhu
 Recipe Cuisine:  South Indian
 Author:  Sadhana Padmanabhan

Capsicum Puli Kuzhambhu is a tangy and spicy gravy that goes well with rice and curry.

Ingredients 

Chopped Bell Pepper                      1 cup

Tamarind                                       gooseberry size
(Soaked and juice extracted)

PuliKuzhambhu Powder                  2 tablespoon

Finely chopped green chilies            2 no.

Finely chopped ginger                     1 tablespoon

Turmeric Powder                            1/2 teaspoon

Finely chopped curry leaves            2 strings

Jaggery powder                             1 teaspoon

Salt                                              To Taste

For seasonings

Mustard seeds                                 1/2 teaspoon

Curry leaves                                    1 spring

Hing                                               ¼ teaspoon

Dried Red chilies                              2 no.

Coconut oil                                      2 teaspoon

Method:

• Soak tamarind in water and squeeze out to make tamarind juice. Keep aside.
• Heat a pan with oil, add all seasonings and fry for few seconds.
• Now add chopped capsicum and green chilies, and sauté until becomes soft.
• Now add turmeric powder, puli Kuzhambhu powder, salt and fry until oil separates out from the masala.
• Add the tamarind juice, and keep cooking till the capsicum is soft. Now add the Jaggery powder and cook till the raw smell goes away. Turn off when the contents thicken and the oil separates out from the gravy.
• It can be stored in the fridge and can be used for a week.
• Serve with hot rice.

474: 252 South Indian Recipes

 The traditional food of South India is mainly rice based. South Indian cuisine includes the cuisines of the five southern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

The cuisine is famous for its wonderful mixing of rice and lentils to prepare yummy lip smacking dosas, vadas, idlis and uttapams.

The South Indian food is a brilliant blend of flavors, colors, seasoning, nutritional balance, fragrance, taste, and visual appeal. Here I posted 297 Recipes.  Take your pick from these recipes, and serve them on a banana leaf, to recreate a perfect south Indian meal-time!

Recipes Here:  (Please click the link)

http://sadhanakitchen.blogspot.com/p/south-indian-cuisine.html

473: Anjarai Petti/ Masala Dabba- Exploring The Indian Spice Box

Spices are an integral part of the Indian kitchen and each one adds punch and flavor to the pantry. A stunning Indian spice box, also known as a “Anjarai Petti / Masala Dabba”. The masala box is a popular spice storage container widely used in Indian kitchens. A round stainless steel tin with a tight-fitting solid or glass lid, a masala dabba typically holds seven or more smaller canisters that house an array of spices that often flavor an Indian meal. I think the beauty of the masala dabba is that you can customize it to your own cooking preferences. It’s really a matter of personal taste. You can include whatever works for you. In India, masala dabbas are traditionally passed down from mother to daughter when the daughter marries and begins a new life in her husband’s home. I am using masala dabba since beginning of my cooking journey.

I have Three masala dabbas. For my Wedding, my mom gave one Anjarai Petti as Kalyana Seer(Wedding Gift) . It is very old now. Other two boxes, I bought it from Cost Plus /World Market shop. I recommend buying it from India if possible. Because it is much cheaper.

The following spices are in my  Tadka  (Tempering)  Masala Box photographed above:

1. Mustard Seeds

2. Coriander Seeds

3. Fenugreek Seeds 

4. Urdh dal

5. Chenna Dal

6. Cumin Seeds

7. Black Peppercorns

The following spices are in my Spice Powder Masala Box photographed above:

1. Turmeric Powder

2. Coriander Powder

3. Red Chili Powder

4. Kashmiri Chili Powder

5. Asafoetida powder ( Hing Powder)

6. Pav Bhaji Powder

7. Chenna Masala Powder

  

The following spices are in my Whole Spices Masala Box photographed above:

1. Star Anise

2. Cinnamon Sticks 

3. Green Cardamon 

4. Bay Leaves

5. Fennel Seeds

6  Nutmeg

7. Cloves 

Tip:

 Clean the Masala Dabba  once in two months and dry them in sunlight.

What is in your Masala Box?