Shimla Mirche ke Chawal | Spicy Green Bell Pepper Rice

Fried rice recipes are so easy to put together. A well spiced fried rice dish tastes wonderful warm or cold and makes for a simple and flavorful recipe for a packed lunch or a picnic lunch. Though fried rice recipes are often made with leftover rice, I love to make them with fresh rice too. They make a great one pot meal for lunch or dinner and then if I have any leftover I use it for the lunchbox. If you have an office microwave, you can carry this for lunch the next day too.

Ingredients:
2 medium green bell peppers, cubed small
1 medium onion, sliced fine
6-8 cloves garlic, minced
1" piece ginger, minced
1 cup rosematta rice (Kerala Red Rice)
1 tbsp oil
1/2 tsp zeera (cumin seeds)
1/4 tsp methi (fenugreek seeds)
4 lavang (cloves)
1/2" piece dalchini (cinnamon)
4 sabot kali mirch (black peppercorns)
1/2 tsp red chili powder
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp haldi (turmeric powder)
6-8 kari patta (curry leaves)

Grind to a Powder:
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp fennel seeds

Method:

1. Prepare the rice, then spread on a large plate or tray and allow to cool completely.
2. Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the cinnamon, cloves, and the black peppercorns.
3. When they become fragrant, reduce the heat, and add the cumin seeds, curry leaves, and the fenugreek seeds in the order.
4. Now add the ground spices. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes. Add a couple of tablespoons of water and cook for another 5 minutes.
5. Now add the ginger, garlic, and onions with a pinch of salt. Fry till the onions are transparent.
6. Stir in the turmeric and red chili powder, followed by the green bell peppers.
7. Cook for 2 minutes, then add the cooked rice and salt to taste. Stir gently until the rice is completely coated with the spices.
8. Cover and allow to sit on a low heat for 10 minutes or until warmed thoroughly.

Good to Know

• Always add the fenugreek last when roasting or frying whole spices. If they get overdone they will taste very bitter.
• The red rice takes on the flavours for this recipe very well. If it is not available, use brown rice.
• Cilantro, green chilies can also be added to this recipe to vary the taste somewhat.

Vegan Recipe

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