Delicious Shimla Mirch (Capsicum) Sabzi 2024

Capsicum, Shimla Mirch, is a colorful tasty vegetable used to decorate and add taste to many dishes. No matter the kind of cook that you are – a timer or a professional, this ingredient can easily be integrated into your homemade recipes. In this blog, we will guide you through a very simple and delicious recipe to make Shimla Mirch Sabzi, an Indian Vegetarian Food.

Right from choosing the above ingredients to the preparation of a warm plate of delicious food, we give you the best. Therefore, without further ado, let’s get started!

What is Shimla Mirch?

Shimla Mirch- the capsicum, is also a part of the classification of bell peppers and comes in an array of colors namely; green, red, yellow, and orange. Due to its neutral taste and crispy and crispy nature, it can be used in vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods. Capsicum is packed with vitamins A, and C, and antioxidants as well as dietary fiber which makes the vegetable healthy for the body. means ‘Shimla chili’ and this name is given because the capsicum was originally grown in the Shimla region of India. Thus, with time it has made its way into a plethora of dishes more so in Indian households.

Health Benefits of Shimla Mirch

Before we jump into the recipe, let’s take a quick look at some of the health benefits of capsicum: Before we jump into the recipe, let’s take a quick look at some of the health benefits of capsicum:

1. Rich in Vitamins

It also has vitamins A, C, and E necessary for enhancing one’s immunity and sustaining skin organ health and vision.

2. High in Antioxidants

Capsicum is a good source of antioxidants which would help in combating the effects of free radicals in the body; which cause chronic diseases.

3. Low in Calories

Shimla Mirch has very little calorie content and hence can be recommended for individuals who want to have foods that do not cause them to gain weight.

4. Improves Digestion

The different kinds of fiber in capsicum help in the digestion of food and the prevention of constipation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

o make Shimla Mirch Sabzi, you’ll need the following ingredients:o make Shimla Mirch Sabzi, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Sabzi:

3 medium-sized shimla mirch (green capsicum)
picture 2 large onions which should be thinly sliced into two medium onions.
2 tomatoes of median size which should be chopped finely.
1 green chili or 1 teaspoon of chili or red pepper flakes (optional, if you like spicy food).
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chilli powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 tablespoon oil of preference, mustard or vegetable oil is best.
Salt to taste

For Garnishing:

Fresh coriander leaves (chopped)
To these ingredients add the juice of one fresh lemon.

How to Make Shimla Mirch Sabzi: Step-by-Step Instructions

Well, if you have your ingredients in place, then here goes the step-by-step guide on how to make tasty and healthy Shimla Mirch Sabzi.

Step 1: Prep the Vegetables

Rinse them under cold water and drain well the capsicum or as most people refer to it bell peppers.
The capsicum should be chopped into cubicles of moderate size. Discard the seeds and the white membrane that is found in between the fleshy exterior.
For the onions chop them thinly while chopping the tomatoes should be fine.

Step 2: Heat the Oil

In a medium-sized pan, sauté 1 tbsp oil on medium heat.
After the oil is hot, pour 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds and allow it to splutter. This will create a very nice smell.

Step 3: Add Onions and Sauté

Place the sliced onions in the pan and fry them until they turn a golden brown color. This would take approximately 5-7 minutes so that each member of the group gets an equal chance to express him / herself.
It was suggested that into the onions you can put a pinch of salt to help to soften it faster.

Step 4: Add Tomatoes and Spices

When onions are brown add chopped tomatoes to it.
Now add turmeric powder, red chilly powder, coriander powder, and the required amount of salt. The tomatoes should be allowed to cook in the pan until they are soft or nearly mushy and this should approximately 5 minutes.

Step 5: Add Capsicum

Now it is time to Saute the cubed capsicum in the prepared pan and mix it properly until the capsicum is well covered with the onion-tomato-spice gravy.
Saute the capsicum for 8-10 minutes on medium flame by stirring it in between now and then. The capsicum should still be crunchy but soft to enhance the taste factor of the unwritten recipe on capsicum.

Step 6: Add Garam Masala and Finish Cooking

After the capsicum is cooked, add and toss around 1 teaspoon of garam masala.
Remove the mixture from heat and let it sit for a few minutes before serving to let the spices work on the sabzi.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Finally, garnish the Shimla Mirch Sabzi with chopped coriander leaves and lemon juice to enhance the taste of the delicacy.
It is best served hot accompanied with chapati, paratha, or rice.

Variations of Shimla Mirch Sabzi

The following is a simple recipe but more care can be added to it according to the preference of the users. Here are some variations:

Shimla Mirch with Aloo (Potato)

If you like potatoes, you can add diced boiled potatoes to this meal too, or replace yogurt with it. Capsicum along with potatoes is quite common and makes the sabzi quite filling.

Shimla Mirch with Paneer (Cottage Cheese)

For a richer and protein-packed version, you can add cubes of paneer. Simply sauté the paneer separately and add it to the sabzi towards the end.

Stuffed Shimla Mirch

If you do not wish to make the sabzi as a stir fry, then you could stuff capsules of capsicum with flavored mashed potatoes or paneer and bake it for a variation to this recipe.

Tips for Cooking Shimla Mirch

Never overcook the capsicum as they become too soft to the touch and do not have a very good feel. They should have some crunch to allow them to have the best texture possible.
You should also alter the spicing of this biscuit depending on how you’d like it to taste. If you don’t want much heat from spices and red chili powder, then adjust the quantity of it accordingly.
To prepare ideal capsicum, one should use hard and fresh capsicum because they offer the best taste and quality. Do not buy capsicum that has a blackened or partially softened area or skin that is shriveled.
One is allowed to use different colors of capsicum, for instance red, yellow, and orange to make the dish more colorful.