Capsicum Rice

I make a coarse powder out of urud dal and channa dal and use it for a variety of rice like capsicum rice, potato rice, onion rice, tomato rice etc. This is one of my favorite dishes. This is very simple and comes very handy when we have to pack lunch in the morning. It saves a lot of time. This rice is called ‘palyadha anna’ or ‘podi kuttidha anna’. Sometimes, I use this powder as vangi bath too, to prepare dishes with eggplant (brinjal). Just a different taste :-)

The recipe for this all-purpose palyadha anna podi is,

Measurements:

3 table spoon - urud dal

3 table spoon - channa dal

2 red chillie (add more if the red chillie is not so hot)

½ inch cinnamon

1 table spoon - dhania (optional)

Roast the dals separately and grind it with red chillie and cinnamon.

Ingredients:

Rice ( Sona Masoori rice) – 1 cup (you can also use basmathi rice)

Capsicum –3 medium sizes – thinly sliced

Oil – 2-table spoon

1 teaspoon – mustard seeds

1 teaspoon – urud dal

Turmeric powder

Asafoetida powder

2 pods cardamom

Salt – as required

Ghee and coriander leaves (cilantro)

Method:

Cook rice and allow it to cool. Separate grains.

Heat little oil and add mustard seeds, when it sputters, add urud dal. When it starts turning light brown add the capsicum. Sauté in medium heat and when its done add turmeric, salt, asafoetida powder and Cardamom. Stir and now add 2 to 3 spoons of the ground powder. Mix well and now add the cooked rice. Stir very gently and when its ¾ mixed, add 2-table spoon ghee and then mix again until even distribution. Garnish with cilantro and/or ghee roasted cashews.

Serve with Raitha and/or Chips.

Note:

You can garnish with Ghee fried Cashews as well.

While Sautéing the Capsicum, add 1/2 teaspoon Tamarind Concentrate for a different taste.

You can make combination rice such as onion and capsicum, onion and potato or with as many types of vegetables as you want. Its all up to your taste.

This powder goes well with vegetables like Onion, Potato, Tomato, and Capsicum.

Carrot and peas can be cooked separately and add to the rice to make it more colorful.

This is my entry to Mixed rice varieties event hosted by EC of Simple Indian Food.