Saturday, February 9, 2008

Kuda Milagai Thokku (Spicy Bell Pepper Preserve)

The often confusing data and research results that we hear about food makes it more difficult than ever to decide what foods to eat and what not to eat. One day it is fat, the next day it is carbs and sugars the day after which is responsible for all the problems with our diet. When in doubt I always fall back to the foods and ingredients I have know growing up and I am safely on the right track. "In Defense of Food - An Eater's Manifesto" written by Michael Pollan is the book for the moment, an amazingly well written page turner and would hold its own against any mystery thriller. It just confirms what we have always known, a traditional diet is better than any Western diet.

The recipe for this dish is from a booklet that came with a rice bag, which ammayi (maternal grandmother) had kept safely. Sometimes these tiny free booklets have some delicious and mouth watering recipes which are not commonly found in any cook book.


Photobucket


Ingredients
1. 2 Medium Bell Peppers washed, patted dry, seeds removed and cut into cubed.
2. a small sized ball of tamarind.
3. 2 Tbsp Sesame oil


Photobucket


To Powder
4. 1 tsp methi seeds
5. 2 tsp coriander seeds
6. 2 tsp toor dal (chana dal preferable)
7. 1 tsp red chili (or to taste)
8. a small piece of asfoetida

Dry roast the above and make a powder

9. 1/2 tbsp red chili powder
10. salt to taste

Method
1. Heat a 1/2 tsp of oil and saute the bell pepper and tamrind and blend to a smooth paste
2. In the same pan heat the rest of the oil, add the mustard seeds and when they start to pop
3. Add the blended bell pepper mixture, chili powder and salt and cook till they start to leave the sides
4. Add the powdered spices mix and a few drops of oil if required

Cool and store in a air tight container

Taste excellent when mixed with rice or as a side for idlis, dosais or chapathis.

21 comments:

  1. tommorrow I am making dosa for breakfast I WILL DEFENTLY TRY YOUR RECIPE it looks soooo yummy

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have some frozen bell peppers lying around.. seems the perfect solution... Thanks for the simple recipe

    ReplyDelete
  3. i am going to make this today.... i have some capsicums on hand and k will scream if i add it to another sabzi!! just what i needed, because i have a patram full of idli maavu!!thanks a ton!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow..thats lovely one! I m alws contemplating what can b done wt bell peppers! (Besides chinese or dry curry!) tks for this lovely thokku!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I agree! I had bought my prestige cooker in 1987 and it came with booklet with most yummy recipes.I still have it, all yellow and with torn pages and have been to 3 countries so far!:D
    I will try your recipe, I am sure it tastes wonderful. Enjoy the Sunday, hubby and son both are sick at home, girls are tending them!;D

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is one awesome recipe with bell pepper. I have not used bellpeppers other than capsicum rice or Huli.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi ISG, the bell pepper preserve looks really delicious. I love the little bowls for ingredients! Looks like a pro. cooking show. Perhaps you missed your calling ;)

    Back to basics sounds good to me today.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely recipe Indo... and you are right about these tiny free cookbooks having great recipes.. I used to love the Prestige pressure cooker manuals back in India...My mom used to try different stuff from it..

    ReplyDelete
  9. this sure does sound and look delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  10. thats lovely idea of using bell peppers... i have some left in fridge...will m ake thokku :))

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have never heard abt this thokku. I will try this out for sure..

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love kuda milagai! I will definitely try this out soon. Thanks so much for this one. You call your maternal GM Ammayi, too? I was beginning to think it was just in my family! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Bell peppers are abundant here. Thanks for the recipe, ISG.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow!!excellent one lady!!!quie simple and must have tasted great

    ReplyDelete
  15. Bell Pepper thokku simple but great taste and a great find - thanks to ammayi, I made the thokku and promptly fell sick, it tended the family for a good 3 days as a side dish :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Get well soon, ISG! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. where is my comment???!!!! :(
    i wanted to tell u how tempted i am to make this soon indo. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. The Kuda Milagai Thokku is absoutly awesome. I have been eating this for the past 3 days with idly,dosa,rice,chappathi and is goes well with all of them. Even used it as a spread over sandwich. Thanks you very much for this wonderful recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  19. anonymous thanks for letting me know, I am so glad it came out tasty for you. It would have been nice to know your name too :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. That's so cool. Love your recipe. Have to try it soon.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. Appreciate you taking the time.
Comments embedded with links, spam and in poor taste will not be published.