Thursday, February 3, 2011

Capsicum Brown Rice and can you identify this ?

On my recent trip to Coimbatore (a city in India) I came across these bright and attractive greens. My mother in law tells me that this is an edible green, and a lot of folks in that region use it much as they would spinach. I have no clue what this is called or how it tastes , but I am curious to learn more about it. I would love it if any of you could identify this and give more information about it. Looking forward to your responses :-)
 
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In the meanwhile,  moving on from unidentifiable greens to a much more well known green veggie. I am referring to green bell pepper also known as capsicum in some parts of the world. Green bell peppers are among my favorite veggies, these peppers seem to enhance the flavor of any dish that they are used in.This green bell pepper rice is something I make when I am looking for a quick, flavorful one dish meal. I just add some raita or salad and some chips or papad and I get a complete meal.


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Click here for a printable view of this recipe

Ingredients and Method to make Capsicum Brown Rice
1 1/2 cups brown basmati soaked in 2 1/4 cups of water for 30 minutes and cooked in the rice cooker with 1 tsp clarified butter (ghee/nei) see notes
2 green bell peppers (capsicum/ koda molagai) de-seeded and cut into thin strips
1 large onion cut into 1/4 inch pieces
2 tsp clarified butter (ghee/nei) or oil
Additional 2 tsp clarified butter (optional) (if you want a little richer taste)
3/4 tsp mustard seeds
salt to taste

Garnish with
4 tsp lemon juice (or to taste)
4 tbsp finely cut cilantro (coriander leaves/kothamalli)

For the masala
(Dry roast each of these items separately until aromatic, cool and grind to a fine powder)

2 tsp coriander seeds (dhania)
1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera )
2 tsp split black gram lentil (udad dhal/ulatham parappu)
3 dry red chilies (or to taste) ( I used byadgi variety)
6 tsp raw peanuts with skin

Soak brown basmati in water as mentioned above for 30 or so minutes, then place in a rice cooker, add 1 tsp clarified butter and cook until it is done. 

Dry roast each of the ingredients mentioned under masala separately in a heavy bottomed pan until aromatic.
Remove and keep aside to cool. Grind in a spice grinder to a fine powder.

Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed pan, add mustard seeds. When the seeds begin to splutter add onion and saute until the onions turn transparent.

Add bell pepper and stir fry until it is cooked yet crisp.
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Add cooked rice, salt to taste, masala powder and mix well.

Just before serving add lemon juice and cilantro and mix well.

Serve with raita/ chips/ papad or any curry of choice

Notes:
Brown basmati can also be cooked in the pressure cooker if you prefer, just  make sure that the rice is cooked yet each grain is separate.

This dish can also be made with white basmati if you prefer, just cook the rice as you would for pulao. Then cool it a little by spreading on a plate, then add to the cooked capsicum and proceed as above. The reason you do not need to do this for brown basmati is because brown basmati holds its shape better and does not break when hot the way white rice does.

The masala can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for convenience.

Comments (25)

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I am curious to know what plant it is. I have no clue
NO clue too, btw rice looks beautiful and yummy..
No clue , rice looks delicious.
My In Laws place had lots of this greens and my mother-in-law used to make kootu with them, I am not sure about the name and she was `nt either. Rice looks delicious!
1 reply · active 736 weeks ago
Thanks Cilantro. Love the idea of using this green in a kootu !
bellpepper-brown rice looks awesome!!! excellent idea. I know what this plant is....it is called"Nochikottai". It is very good for eyes especially, a great source of Vitamin D. I know a very excellent dish which can be made out of this. Shall write about this to you later, Usha.
3 replies · active 736 weeks ago
Yeah Mala also called pisonia alba ... I checked after I saw ur 'nochikottai' :-) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pisonia_alba_(L...
Thanks for taking the time to research "nochikottai' further and giving me the details, cooker! I am going to look for this healthy green in our area :-)
Thanks so much for the information. This sounds like an interesting and healthy green. I am looking forward to receiving your recipe for using "nochikottai"
Rice looks delicious! I will do some research and try to get back to you about that plant
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
Thanks Priya !
Rice looks Hearty. I am waiting for more info on the plant.
Rice is awesome.

The leaves of this plant is very useful for people suffering from rheumatism too.Sometimes the leaves have a slight bitterness.I am writing a post [with recieps] about these leaves.Will be posting it soon.
1 reply · active 736 weeks ago
Thanks PJ. I am looking forward to seeing your post on this subject and your recipe !
yummy rice ...
Capsicum rice looks inviting. I posted the same recipe few days back :) I love ur idea of using brown rice. Also lemon juice should have left a wonderful taste... Will try!
Rice looks so delicious and wholesome with the veggies and the brown rice...
http://krithiskitchen.blogspot.com
I never seen this green,the rice is delicious with veggies
Healthy and delicious looking rice....
I am happy to follow you :)
We have this shrub in the front of our house in India. Tastes great in kootu and sambar. Called 'nochikottai' in tamil. Most people in India also think of this as an ornamental plant only. I wish I could get this cultivated here in the US.
Preethi Raman's avatar

Preethi Raman · 725 weeks ago

All the recipes look so inviting.Such a well maintained website.Even the pictures of the food are so nice and extremely tempting.If you have any restaurant,no matter how far,I would definetly make a trip.I know it would be worthwhile.
anuradha's avatar

anuradha · 693 weeks ago

Dear
This is known as nanjukottan keerai. we can prepare this as normal keerai.
anuradharamaswamy
1 reply · active 693 weeks ago
Thanks for letting me know, it sounds really interesting. I hope I get a chance to try it someday :-)
Admirable work. Usha, I love your recipes, I too enjoy cooking and it is stimulating to see your work. Love, have a wonderful holiday season. I am making you cranberry chutney today....yummy...
1 reply · active 693 weeks ago
Jamie, thanks so much !! Wish you a wonderful holiday season too :-) Hope you enjoyed the cranberry chutney as much as I did :-)

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