12 June, 2009

Capsicum & Baby Corn Curry with Random Rants :)

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Capsicum & Baby Corn Curry

Missed participating in blog events - Check.
Missed visiting blogger friends – Check.
Missed leaving comments in their blog – Check.
Missed posting recipes twice a week – Check.
Missed writing new post for Beyond Curries – Check.
Missed cooking recipes from other blogs (at least 2 recipes per month) – Check.
Missed taking photographs of new recipe I cooked and loved for blog – Check!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I can understand the first six things happening now and then when I am buried till my nose with all new projects and meeting deadlines. But I am still scratching my head thinking how I could have missed taking photos for my blog??? Looks like I am not only busy with hectic work schedule but may be little stressed also. HELP… Anybody?!


Few days back I found few interesting replies from friends on FB when I mentioned that my blog honeymoon period seems to be finally over after 2½+ years of blogging. Some said they too are sailing in the same boat with me and others said this too shall pass! But there was this dear friend of mine who mentioned as far as she was concerned, her relationship with her blog is over and they are divorced! :) I couldn’t help but wonder what will happen to my blog in few months time? Will I ever reach that stage and stop blogging for good? Hopefully not for a while… Yes, not yet!!!! I hope that dear friend of mine resumes blogging as I really miss visiting her witty, humorous and delicious blog. And at the same time I wonder will I be missed by readers of my blog if I decide to stop blogging? :) Looks like I have some food for thought ;)


And not to forget, I also have some recipe for all you lovely people. Today we have this simple, delicious and flavourful Capsicum & Baby Corn Curry to please all your senses! I am quite fond of coloured bell peppers and baby corns and I use them quite often in Indo-Chinese cuisines. Using these two veggies in Indian cuisine has got nothing to do with my creative brain cells or unusual taste buds. It was the result of lack of vegetables in fridge and also laziness to go out for shopping. But I am not here to complain as the chemistry between bell peppers and baby corns was quite hot and sizzling and they literally set our taste buds on fire! ;) While creamy onion and almond gravy tasted superb, the crunch from capsicum and baby corns were very pleasing to our palettes. When served with soft and warm Phulkas and simple Cumin Rice, it was nothing short of touching the stars! Try this curry when you are tired of eating same combination of vegetables or pulses and see this colourful Capsicum & Baby Corn Curry winning positive approval from everyone sitting around your dining table. :) And off this goes to dear Vysh who has spiced up all our blogs by asking us to cook some spicy dishes for her JFI: Chilli, an event initiated by dear Indira of Mahanandi and dear Priya who is guest hosting AFAM-Bell Peppers, an event started by Maheshwari of Beyond Usual.

Capsicum-baby-corn-curry
Capsicums & Baby Corns

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Capsicum & Baby Corn Curry (Tender Baby Con and peppery Bell Peppers cooked in creamy gravy of Onion, Tomato and Almonds)
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 30-40 mins
Serves: 4-6
Recipe Level: Medium
Spice Level: Medium to Hot
Serving Suggestion: With any Indian flat breads or with flavoured/steam cooked rice

Ingredients:
15 Baby Corns, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 large Capsicums/Bell Peppers (I used 1 red and 1 green)
3 large Tomatoes, pureed
1 tsp Garam Masala
½ tsp Kitchen King Masala (Optional)
1 tsp Coriander Powder
½ tsp Cumin Powder
½ tsp Turmeric Powder
½ tsp Amchur/Dry Mango Powder or 1 tbsp Lime Juice
1 tsp Sugar (Optional but recommended)
1 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste

For Onion-Almond Paste:
1 tsp Jeera/Cumin Seeds
1 large Onion, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
1 inch Cinnamon Stick
2 Green Cardamoms
2 Cloves
10 Almonds, soaked in warm water for 10 mins and skinned
½ tbsp Oil

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Capsicum & Baby Corn Curry

Method:
For Onion-Almond Paste:
Heat ½ tbsp oil in a pan and add cinnamon stick, cloves and green cardamoms. Cook for a minute, on medium heat, and then add cumin seeds to it. When cumin starts to sizzle and turn golden red, add roughly chopped onions and fry till they turn transparent, about 2 mins.
Next add ginger-garlic paste and stir for a minute or two till raw smell disappears. Switch off the flame and transfer the content to food processor or mixer jar. Let it cool slightly.
Add skinned almonds and grind the mixture to smooth paste without adding any water.

Proceed to Make Curry:
Heat tbsp of oil in a pan and add ground onion-almond paste. Saute on medium flame till the paste turns light golden brown in colour and becomes one dry mass, about 5-6 mins.
Add garam masala, kitchen king masala, turmeric powder, coriander powder and cumin powder and stir for 30 seconds.
Mix in pureed tomatoes and give it a good stir, about 3 mins. Add 1-1½ cups of water, amchur powder, sugar and mix in salt to taste. Keep the flame on medium and bring the whole gravy to gentle boil, about 5 mins.
Add baby corn pieces and cover and cook for 5 mins. After 5 mins, add peppers/capsicums and cook uncovered for another 5-7 minutes till vegetables are cooked through but retain their crunch.
Serve this delicious Baby Corn-Capsicum Curry hot, garnished with finely chopped coriander leaves, with any Indian flat bread or flavoured rice and enjoy.

34 comments:

  1. Oh wow that's an luscious and delicious combo...colorful and yum too.....

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  2. hi Sia
    i for one will be much disappointed if u chose to divorce ur blog....i immensely enjoy ur comments accompanying ur recipes more than ur recipes to be true...so plz do continue...nd spcl mention shld be made of ur photography.....really commendable job..2day after a hearty lunch had a hearty laugh reading ur classes for men...

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  3. Oh i love bell peppers and baby corns too, i just bought some baby corns yesterday only :)

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  4. I make this like a dry curry with some cauliflower...this gravy looks very tasty...gotta try this soon :)

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  5. Delicious looking curry Sia.. And regarding divorcing your blog, don't even think of doing it.. there are few people who wait to read ur witty posts and drool looking at the pictures. So you might want to re-negotiate terms with it and stay put. :-D

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  6. I remember that statement on FB. I have an "on again, off again" relationship with my blog. My theory is blogging is an expression of self. Sometimes u want to write, sometimes not. I try to make it a point to visit folks who take time to visit me though. But that's just me. No need to feel bad if you don't feel like writing or leaving comments (though I must say i miss yours! :) )

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  7. Pleeeeeease do not stop blogging.The world is full of items and recipes to be made.Love the curry.Expecting more and more from you and wishing monsoon spice many many many years.

    Love the curry,esp the paste with almonds.Never tried the combo of pepper and corn together together.

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  8. It happens to everyone I guess not only with blogging but other things we do. Taking a small break might help. Curry looks delicious.

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  9. A delicious recipe and a wonderful click!

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  10. Of course people will miss your posts, I know I would! And I hope if you decide to stop that you would leave up what you have already posted, as I have tons of your recipes yet to try :) I've felt like that before, in my first year, and I just took a break for awhile, then resumed when I wanted to. The curry looks beautiful and delicious, you took an awesome pic!

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  11. I suppose that like any other relationship, blogging takes love and work. I sincerely hope that you continue blogging for a very long time because I adore your space, Supriya!

    I know that I have found motivation hard at time when I get overwhelmed with things going on in my life. Yet, at the same time, I find blogging to be therapeutic. So, that's my reason to keep coming back.

    The curry is a wonderful idea and looks simply amazing, as usual. Btw, I ate the bittergourd (made using your recipe) for a good week. And, yes, I'm officially addicted! :)

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  12. Don't stop blogging! Just go slow - it doesn't have to be twice a week. Or take a break to recharge and come back! I love the combination of these veggies.

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  13. Nice yummy and colorful curry sia...

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  14. I think I know what you mean... the curry looks great though :-)

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  15. question: do you always have fresh flowers in your house or is that a plant / plastic one?

    love the look of that curry btw :)

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  16. We will all su(o)rely miss your presence on food blog. Please don't do that. And I was wondering how your dish looks so vibrant. Tomato puree it is. No?

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  17. Wow! Thats a wonderful combination! Two of my favorites combined into one! And i loved the idea of using almonds... will try it...

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  18. wow! this recipe sounds delicious...yummy..all you have to do is step outside for some of the ingredients..uphere i always had a hard time trying to find ingredients...one of my friend introduced me to a great resource www.myethnicworld.com and i thought that i pass great along as well...thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  19. Hey girl you better dont think abt divorce ok...you will get a big crowd behind you...


    btw the curry does look awesome..not sure why you don't remember to take pictures.thats very naughty!

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  20. Lovely and delicious curry.. both the ingredients are my favorites. Sure would I love this one.

    First time to you blog and should say that you clicks are too too good. :)

    Keep it going. :)

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  21. Sia, I hope and wish that you not stop blogging.
    The kadai is so beautiful
    zaiqa.net

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  22. Dear Sia,
    I tried the palak and aloo recipe.Although I substituted aloo for paneer! The recipe turned out quite well!And my husband loves me now ;)!Thankyou

    ♥ Chaitra

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  23. hmmm this happens to everybody but don't worry dear. Atleast once in a month you would get the itch to post something in your blog. Thats my experience. And this onion-almond paste created a whole lot of ideas for several gravies. The colour and cripsiness of the pics are drool worthy...no doubt.

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  24. Go to a marriage counsellor! Don't divorce your blog! Your children (blog readers) will never get over the trauma...hahaha and I've got your blog in my favourites list!!! This is my first comment though!
    The curry looks great, never made anything with almond paste... must try, I love baby corn.

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  25. The curry looks awesome and as usual great pictures....hope you continue to blog.... although I understand how sometimes the effort can be overwhelming in addition to all our other activities, hopefully a short break helps you recharge :-)

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  26. that looks absolutely amazing! i love baby corn and bell peppers but i would never have thought of making a curry. yum -- thanks for posting!

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  27. Oh you would be seriously missed. Go at your own pace but please do not deprive us of your wit, humour and food!

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  28. hey Sia, baby corns in the gravy! sounds yumm....
    I invite you to participate in global ganesha food festival
    http://didolivescooks.wordpress.com/dlc-food-festival/
    See u there!

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  29. @All, Thank you dears :)

    @Jayanti, Pavani, Vani, Curry Leaf, Ciliantro, Messo, Kalai, Bharti, My experiments with cooking, Valli, Mona, Nirmala, Life_is_good, Usha, cynth,
    Aww... U girls r balm to distressed heart :) And thanks for ur motivating and encouraging words. I think this too shall pass...

    @Nags,
    he he he... I always have fresh flowers in my home. Can't live w/o them ;)

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  30. Oh please do not get divorced! actually don't even think about it..go get counseling... if needed;-)
    Please be nice & try to be more adaptive?

    Love munching on baby corns & i have to admit that i have not made desi stuff with this combo. almond gravy sounds great.

    on serious notes.. i am so lack in time with my kids.. i am almost ready to give up blogging.. but just fearing what u wrote about, i keep pushing myself, for if i stop once & cannot get back to the tracks again.. & am not even done a year.
    Soma(www.ecurry.com)

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  31. Hi there!

    i have one small query if u can help me. Firstly if i want to substitute the bell pepper with other veggies can i do it...i mean adding paneer/ peas/ mushroom..
    Secondly i don't have almonds at home so if i replace it with cashews..how much the taste suffers by doing this changes..
    Thanx for ur help adn hope u reply me..
    Have a Great day n Cheers!

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  32. Farah, u can go ahead and use any other vegetables of ur choice and follow the recipe for base gravy. and also u can substitute almonds with cashews and there won't be much change in taste wise. :)

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  33. delicious curry....my husband loved it!!! thanks sia :)
    sabita

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Namaste! I am Sia and welcome to Monsoon Spice, my virtual home. Thank you for all your comments, inputs and feedback. I really appreciate the valuable time you spent browsing through my recipe repertoire.

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