Tilwale Shimla Mirch: Sesame Bell Pepper

When the sharp juiciness of shimla mirch (green bell pepper/capsicum) is coupled with the delicate nuttiness of til (sesame seeds), something magical happens! Try tilwale shimla mirch (sesame bell pepper) to witness it yourself.

This recipe works with both white and black sesame seeds. The black variety has a stronger flavor than white and gives the dish an exotic black hue. Choose the type that you like or have easy access to.

You Need:

How To Make Sesame Bell Pepper:

1. Prepare the sesame paste

Toast the sesame seeds in a thick-bottomed vessel on low flame, till aromatic (2-3 mins). Let cool.

In a chutney grinder, place the toasted sesame seeds, garlic cloves, chopped onions. Grind to paste.

Then add coconut and grind again. [Do not add any water while grinding.]

2. Cook the capsicum

Core and chop the capsicum (bell pepper) into 1/2-inch pieces.

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan or kadhai.

When the oil is hot, set the heat to low and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds to the oil.

Let the seeds splutter. Tip the chopped capsicum into the pan.

Stir and cook covered on medium heat for 6-7 minutes. Turn around a couple of times in between.

3. Put it all together

As the capsicum cooks, sprinkle salt and pepper. Transfer the sesame paste from the grinder to the pan.

Mix well and cook covered for another 3-4 minutes, or till the rawness of the onion and garlic goes away. Gently scrape the bottom of the pan if the sesame paste sticks and browns. Cover and let stand for another 3-4 minutes.

Tilwale shimla mirch (sesame bell pepper) is ready.

Serve warm with chapatis/rice and dal.

Meal below: chapatis, masala chana dal, tilwale shimla mirch and fresh tomatoes.

Here’s a variant with black sesame instead of white. Served with goji berry dal, chayote raita, apple chutney, chapatis, fresh tomatoes.

Notes:

Want to try other sesame-based recipes? Check out sesame almond laddoos, til methi ki chutney, Thai-inspired potatoes with sesame seeds.

For more ways to cook capsicum, see bell pepper rice, paneer peas capsicum curry,  capsicum cherry tomato curry.