South Indian Capsicum Rice

Yes, I totally agree, there is no such thing called 'South Indian Capsicum Rice'. But you should also understand that when you are too lazy and indecisive about your Sunday lunch and when you are left with just some capsicums, onions and tomatoes, you will naturally end up trying something new and posting it on your blog if you have one... ;-)
Capsicum is extensively used in Italian, Chinese, Mexican and American cuisine. This recipe does not belong to any of this category because most of the ingredients I have used here are very much South Indian. ;-) Hence the name 'South Indian Capsicum Rice'.


Ingredients
Rice - 2 cups
Water - 4 cups
Capsicum - 2 medium sized, diced
Tomato - 2 big or 3 medium sized, chopped
Onion - 3 large, diced
Garlic - 3 cloves, chopped
Green chillies - 5 (according to the spice level)
Turmeric pdr - 1 tsp
Salt - to taste

For tempering
Split black gram /urad dal/uzhunnu parippu - 1 tsp
Chana dal / bengal gram / kadala parippu - 1 tsp
Jeera - 1 tsp
Cinnamon stick - 1"
Curry leaves - a few

For garnishing
Chopped coriander leaves - as required

Method

1. Cook rice in 4 cups of water. Keep it aside.
   
2. Heat oil in a frying pan for tempering and add the ingredients in the order given. Saute it well.
3. Add chopped onion, chillies and garlic to it. Fry till onion turns light brown in color.
4. Add tomatoes, salt and turmeric pdr.
5. Saute it well until the raw smell goes off.
6. Add diced capsicum and saute (do not over cook capsicum because the color turns to light brown and it becomes soggy).
7. Turn off the stove.
8. Add this masala into the cooked rice and mix it well.
9. Garnish with coriander leaves.
   

Your hot, steamy capsicum rice is ready! It goes well with papad and raita.

Tips: You can omit tomato, green chillies and turmeric pdr and instead, add freshly ground peppercorns, red chillies, and roasted grated coconut (add at the end). This will give altogether a different taste and flavor which is neither South Indian nor Chinese and to make it more interesting, you can name it as 'Pepper-Capsicum Rice' ;-) This idea popped up in my mind while writing this recipe. :-)