Capsicum fry recipe (Bell pepper stir fry)

Capsicum fry recipe – A super quick and delicious dry capsicum curry that makes a good side dish in a Indian meal. It is so good to serve with rice or chapati. This capsicum fry is very uniquely flavorful, healthy and easy to make as well. It goes good in lunch box too and can be made just under 20 minutes.

Normally bell peppers are used in Indian cuisine to make mixed vegetable curry, Mixed vegetable stir fry, fried rice, kadai dishes and even to make capsicum chutney. Most often I am left with surplus bell peppers. Not knowing what to do with them I just stir fry them with a mild spice powder.

This capsicum stir fry turns out so flavorful and good that I keep making it time and again whenever I have them in excess. Sometimes we eat this with plain rice and rasam or sambar. I also use the same to make some kathi rolls & sandwiches.

My kids love this so much that they even eat this with their lemon rice or curd rice.

This capsicum fry gets a unique taste & delicious aroma from the spice powder used. The spice powder is made using chana dal, urad dal and other basic ingredients. If you are unable to make the powder then you can replace it with idli podi or peanut podi.

The other substitutes are to use sambar powder or even garam masala. Here are some variations you can make to this capsicum stir fry.

Step-by-step photos

How to make capsicum fry

1. This step is optional, if you do not want to make the spice powder then you can use idli podi or sambar powder or garam masala. To make the spice powder, dry roast red chili, urad dal, chana dal until golden. Then add sesame seeds, coconut, cumin and clove.

Fry until a sesame seeds begin to splutter. Cool the roasted ingredients and make a fine powder. While these cool you can begin to make the curry.

2. Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin and mustard. I have used yellow mustard as well.

3. When the mustard begin to splutter, add thinly sliced onions.

4. Fry until golden.

5. Add capsicum, chilli powder, turmeric and salt. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes.I skip chilli powder when I make for kids.

6. Cover and cook on a low flame until it is cooked to your liking. You can keep them half cooked or soft cooked. We prefer them slightly crunchy.

7. Add the spice powder we made at step 1. If using garam masala or sambar use it here.

8. Stir until you begin to smell good, just for a minute or two.

Capsicum stir fry or dry capsicum curry is ready to serve with rice or chapathi.

Variations

1. You can just sprinkle 2 to 3 tbsps of coconut towards the end.
2. Add half a cup of peas and cook along with capsicum.
3. Stir in a beaten egg towards the end and make a capsicum bhurji.
4. Crumble about 2 tbsps little paneer or tofu and add it towards the end.
5. Coarsely crush some roasted peanuts and sprinkle over it to make it interesting for kids.
6. Mix some grated mozarella cheese and stuff in a sandwich or wrap. Heat in the oven for a minute or until the cheese melts.

More Capsicum recipes
Capsicum curry
Capsicum rice
Aloo capsicum
Capsicum chutney

Recipe

Capsicum fry recipe

Capsicum fry

Capsicum fry is a side dish made with bell peppers, spice powders and herbs. This bell pepper stir fry is super simple, delicious & quick to make. Serve it with rice or roti.  The unique aroma comes from the spice powder used. I have shared the recipe of it as well.

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1x2x3x

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Total Time20 minutes

Servings3

AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )

• 2 medium onions sliced or ¾ cup
• 1 ½ cups bell pepper or capsicum chopped
• 1 tbsp oil
• ½ tsp cumin or jeera
• ½ tsp mustard
• salt as needed
• 1 pinch turmeric or haldi
• 1/8 tsp red chilli powder , adjust to taste

To roast and powder or use garam masala or sambar powder

• 1 tsp urad dal or skinned black gram
• 1 tsp chana dal or bengal gram
• 1 tsp sesame seeds or til (optional) or peanuts
• 1 tsp dry coconut or copra
• 1 red chili
• ¼ tsp cumin or jeera
• ½ clove garlic

How to make the recipe

To make spice powder or use garam masala

• Skip this step if using garam masala or sambar powder. Heat a pan and dry roast sesame seeds or peanuts. If roasting sesame seeds fry them until they begin to splutter. If using peanuts roast them until they turn golden. Remove to a plate. 
• Then dry roast the red chili, urad dal and chana dal until aromatic. Then add coconut, cumin and garlic. When they smell good remove and cool completely. Make a fine powder.
  

Making capsicum fry

• Heat oil in a pan. When the oil turns hot, add mustard and cumin. When they crackle add onions and fry until golden stirring often. Then add in cubed capsicum, chili powder, turmeric and salt. Fry for 2 to 3 mins.
• Cover and cook until it is done to suit your liking. We like the bell peppers crunchy. Then add the spice powder or garam masala. Saute until it begins to smell good.
• Serve capsicum fry with rice or chapati. 

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NUTRITION (estimation only)

Calories: 117kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 211mg | Potassium: 328mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2475IU | Vitamin C: 122.1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

If you are new to cooking, follow my detailed step by step photo instructions for best results.