Capsicum pilaf

Whenever I buy color peppers, I cook this pilaf and pasta. If you don't have color peppers try with green pepper. The flavor of mint and cilantro enhances the taste of rice. Try this simple pilaf.

Ingredients:

• Capsicum/Bell peppers - 2 cups
• Onion - 1 
• Basmati rice - 1 cup
• Water - 1.5 cup
• Oil - 1 tbsp
• Cardamon - 2
• Cloves - 4
• Salt - to taste

To grind:

• Mint leaves - 1/2 cup
• Cilantro - 1/2 cup
• Green chilly - 3
• Ginger - 1 tbsp
• Garlic - 4

Method:

Chop the bell peppers into big chunks and onion into thin strips. Soak the rice in plenty of water for 30 minutes. Drain the rice with a strainer. Mix all the ingredients given together 'to grind' in a blender. Grind to a fine paste, if needed add 1 tbsp of water. Heat a wide pan with a tbsp of oil, add cardamon and cloves.

Add the onion and fry till it is transparent. Add the ground paste and fry till the raw smell goes. Add the chopped bell peppers.

Add rice, water and salt. Cover the pan with a lid. Cook till the rice is soft.

Serve hot with chips or raita.