Shimla Mirch Ki Kombdi | Roasted Capsicum Chicken Curry Recipe

If you're a capsicum lover, this unique chicken curry is sure to become a favorite. The smoky flavor of roasted capsicum blends beautifully with aromatic spices, creating a rich and flavorful gravy that pairs perfectly with rotis.

Why Capsicum is Good for You

Capsicum is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients:

• Low in fat and carbohydrates, making it a weight-loss-friendly vegetable.
• Rich in antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
• An excellent source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A, which help strengthen immunity.
• Supports heart health by helping regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Contains capsaicin, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory and potential cancer-fighting properties.
• May help support overall health and wellness when included as part of a balanced diet.

This delicious curry is a wonderful way to enjoy the goodness of capsicum in a comforting meal.

Ingredients

For the Curry

• 250 g chicken
• 3 tsp oil

For the Masala Paste

• 1 roasted capsicum, deskinned, deseeded, and finely chopped
• 1 tsp finely chopped fresh fenugreek (methi) leaves
• 1 tsp finely chopped green chillies
• 1 tsp cashew paste (made from 4 cashews)
• A pinch of turmeric powder
• 1 tsp roasted cumin seeds
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp yogurt (dahi)
• 2 tsp poppy seeds (khus khus)
• 1 tsp grated coconut
• 4–5 garlic cloves
• 1-inch piece ginger
• 1 tsp crushed cinnamon
• 2 cloves
• 2 green cardamoms
• 1 tsp peppercorns

Shortcut: You may replace the last six ingredients with 1 tsp garam masala and 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste.

Method

Step 1: Roast the Capsicum

Roast the capsicum directly over an open flame until blackened and charred on all sides.

Step 2: Prepare the Masala Paste

Allow the capsicum to cool. Remove the skin and seeds, then chop it finely.

Blend the roasted capsicum along with all the ingredients listed under "Masala Paste" to form a smooth green paste.

Step 3: Cook the Curry

Heat oil in a kadai.

Add the chicken and prepared green masala paste. Mix well and cook on medium heat until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.

Step 4: Serve

Garnish with a swirl of fresh cream and serve hot.

Serving Suggestion

This flavorful capsicum chicken curry tastes best with:

• Roti
• Chapati
• Phulka
• Naan

Katachi Aamti Recipe | Traditional Maharashtrian Chana Dal Aamti

Katachi Aamti is a traditional Maharashtrian delicacy prepared using chana dal stock and aromatic spices. The word "Katachi" refers to the flavorful liquid obtained while cooking chana dal, while "Aamti" means a tangy-spicy lentil-based curry. This comforting dish beautifully balances sweet, sour, and spicy flavors with the addition of jaggery, tamarind, and freshly ground spices.

Traditionally served with steamed rice, chapati, or bhakri, Katachi Aamti is a staple in many Maharashtrian households.

Ingredients

For the Masala Powder

• 2–3 tsp dry coconut
• ½ tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
• 3–4 dry red chilies
• 2 tsp coriander seeds (dhanya)
• 2 green cardamoms
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cloves
• ½ tsp peppercorns
• 2-inch cinnamon stick

For the Aamti

• ½ cup chana dal
• 3 tsp oil
• Salt to taste
• 4–5 tsp finely chopped onions
• ½ tsp mustard seeds
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• 2 dry red chilies, broken
• 5–6 curry leaves
• 5 tsp thick tamarind extract
• 3 tsp grated jaggery
• Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish
• Grated coconut, for garnish

Method

Step 1: Prepare the Chana Dal

1. Wash and soak the chana dal for about 3 hours.
2. Pressure cook with a pinch of turmeric for 3 whistles or until soft.
3. Reserve the cooking stock and keep the cooked dal aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Masala

1. Dry roast all the ingredients listed under the masala section until aromatic.
2. Allow them to cool.
3. Grind into a fine powder and keep aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Aamti

1. Heat oil in a kadai.
2. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter.
3. Add cumin seeds, broken red chilies, curry leaves, and chopped onions.
4. Sauté until the onions turn light golden.

Step 4: Cook the Gravy

1. Add the prepared masala powder and sauté for a minute.
2. Pour in the tamarind extract and cook until the oil begins to separate.
3. Add the cooked chana dal along with the reserved stock.
4. Stir in the grated jaggery and salt.
5. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend well.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and grated coconut.
2. Serve hot with steamed rice, chapati, bhakri, or poli.

Serving Suggestion

Katachi Aamti tastes best with hot steamed rice and a dollop of ghee, but it also pairs wonderfully with roti, chapati, bhakri, or Maharashtrian poli.

Bhopla Aur Dal Ki Kheer

Pumpkin is a humble vegetable packed with numerous health benefits. Rich in antioxidants, it helps protect against heart diseases and supports overall wellness. 

Pumpkin juice is often recommended for ulcers and acidity, while its calming properties may help in cases of insomnia. In traditional remedies, pumpkin is also used externally for burns, inflammations, and abscesses.

Usually, pumpkin is cooked with chana dal as a comforting kootu or transformed into a rich halwa with desi ghee and sugar. This time, I experimented with a lighter and healthier dessert version using red pumpkin, moong dal, and jaggery. The result is a nutritious, mildly sweet kheer that is both comforting and low in calories — perfect for health-conscious dessert lovers.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup moong dal, soaked
• 1 cup red pumpkin, deskinned, deseeded, and chopped
• 1/4 cup milk
• 100 gm grated jaggery
• A pinch of cardamom powder
• A small spoon of ghee
• 5–6 badam (almonds) for garnish

Method

1. Pressure cook the soaked moong dal and chopped pumpkin for 2 whistles.
2. Once cooked, mash the mixture well using a dal masher.
3. Cook the mashed mixture on a low simmer flame.
4. Add the grated jaggery and stir until it melts completely.
5. Pour in the milk and add cardamom powder. Mix well and simmer for a few minutes.
6. Garnish with ghee-roasted badam pieces and serve warm.

A simple, nourishing dessert that beautifully combines tradition with healthy cooking.