Capsicum Besan Bhaji.

 

Ingredients

Capsicum-2large

Besan - 1/4 cup

 Green chilies

 Curry leaves

 Mustard seeds -1tsp 

channa dal-1tsp

 Cumin seeds -1tsp 

Turmeric powder-¼ teaspoon 

Red chili powder-1/4 teaspoon 

 Roasted Cumin Powder -1/4 teaspoon 

 1 pinch asafoetida 

Coriander leaves 

salt

  Lemon juice 

Method

 The First rinse, halve, remove the seeds and then chop 2 large capsicums (300 grams) in 1.5 cm cubes or squares.  take cloves and 1 to 2 green chilies. Keep aside. 

Heat a thick bottomed shallow frying pan or Kadai. Keep the flame to a low and add ¼ cup besan.

Roast the besan stirring often till it becomes aromatic and changes color.

The besan has to be roasted well and should not be raw as we are not going to cook it much further.

Roasting besan will take about 5 to 6 minutes on a low flame. once the besan has got roasted well, remove it on a separate plate.

In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons peanut oil (can also use sunflower oil). When the oil becomes hot, add ½ teaspoon mustard seeds. Lower the flame

When the mustard seeds crackle, add ½ teaspoon cumin seeds. Saute till the cumin seeds also splutter and change color.

Add chopped green chilies and 8 to 10 curry leaves.

Then add ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder, ¼ teaspoon red chili powder,  Roasted Cumin Powder, and 1 pinch asafoetida (thing).

On a low flame, mix both the spice powders very well ensuring that they do not get burnt.

Now add the capsicum cubes.

Mix very well with the rest of the ingredients.

Add salt as required. Mix again.

Pour ¼ cup water and stir. Cover the pan with a lid and cook the capsicum on a low flame.

Do check the capsicum a couple of times when it's cooking and stir. If the water dries up, you can add more water.

The capsicum has to be tender and done. Some water will also be there when the capsicum gets cooked. Mix very well. 

Then add the roasted besan in batches. First, sprinkle add 1 tablespoon besan all over the capsicum sabzi.

This way keep on adding roasted besan in batches and mixing.

Mix the besan very well with the capsicum bhaji. If the bhaji looks very dry, then you can sprinkle some water.

Lastly, switch off the flame and add 2 tablespoons of chopped coriander leaves. Also, drizzle ½ to 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Adding lemon juice is optional. 

Ready to offer with  Rice or Chaptahi