My family members are poles apart when it comes to choices/ preferences in food! Half of us like spicy foods and the other half prefers food that is not too spicy. The kids and me fall into the second category! Hubby and MIL on the other hand love spicy foods to the core! So sometimes I end up cooking two versions of the same dish!
When I saw the Recipe ReDux challenge for this month which is themed – heat up the food with smoke / spiciness, I was wondering how to make something spicy yet a dish that the kids would relish.
I have a soft spot for bell peppers and usually have a few in the fridge at all times. Using pepper for providing the necessary heat to the dish took the taste to a different level.Garlic is yet another ingredient that I love. So combing these two I made a rice dish.
This ,when served piping hot with a cooling yogurt based side, was the ultimate comfort food that the kids and the rest of the family enjoyed on a cold winter weekend….
I used:
Rice- 1, cup, cooked, grains separate
Colored Capsicum/Bell pepper – 3/4 cup, chopped
Garlic- 5, cloves, sliced
Onion seeds / Kalonji– 1/2 teaspoon
Cumin seeds- 1 teaspoon
Curry leaves- a few
Freshly cracked pepper- 1 1/2 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Oil- 1 teaspoon
Heat oil in a pan and add the cumin and onion seeds/kalonji.When the cumin crackles, add the garlic and curry leaves.Saute till the garlic starts turning brown. Add the chopped bell pepper.
Saute till the bell pepper is cooked yet has a light crunch to it. Add the cooked rice and mix.
Add the pepper, salt and reduce the heat. Mix and let the flavors blend for a couple of minutes.
Remove from heat and serve as such or with a side of plain yogurt.We had this with yellow pumpkin raita.
Bon Appetit…
