Spicy Shimla Mirch Matar Thecha Recipe | Perfect Side Dish
Learn how to make a spicy Shimla Mirch Matar Thecha! A perfect Maharashtrian side dish with green peas, capsicum, and garlic to spice up any meal. Ready in 15 mins.
Ingredients
- Green Chillies: 10–12 adjust according to spice preference
- Garlic Cloves: 10–12 peeled
- Cumin Seeds Jeera: 1 tsp (divided use)
- Fresh Green Peas Matar: 1/2 Cup
- Onion: 1 Medium finely chopped
- Capsicum Shimla Mirch: 2 Medium (chopped into small pieces)
- Tomato: 1 Medium chopped
- Roasted Peanut Powder: 3 tbsp coarse
- Oil: 1-2 tbsp
- Salt: To taste
- Lemon Juice: 1 tsp optional
Instructions
- Roast the Base Ingredients: Heat a pan and dry roast the green chillies and garlic cloves until they get slightly charred spots. Add half of the cumin seeds and roast for a few seconds. Remove them onto a plate.
- Roast the Peas: In the same pan, roast the fresh green peas (matar) until they develop brown spots and are cooked through. Remove them as well.
- Coarse Grind: Place the roasted chillies, garlic, cumin, and peas into a mixer jar. Pulse it to make a coarse paste (do not make a fine puree).
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in the same pan. Add the remaining cumin seeds. Once they splutter, add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
- Cook Capsicum: Add the chopped capsicum (Shimla mirch) and a little salt. Sauté on medium flame for 2–3 minutes until the capsicum softens slightly but retains some crunch. You can cover the pan for faster cooking.
- Combine Mixtures: Add the coarsely ground chilli-pea mixture to the pan. Mix well with the onions and capsicum.
- Add Tomatoes: Toss in the chopped tomato. Cook for another 2 minutes on medium heat until the tomatoes soften.
- Simmer: Adjust salt if needed. Cover the pan with a tight lid and let it steam cook for 5 minutes on low heat to let the flavours meld.
- Final Touch: Open the lid and sprinkle the coarse roasted peanut powder. Mix well and cook for 1 more minute.
- Serve: Ideally, squeeze a little lemon juice on top before serving for a tangy kick. Your Spicy Shimla Mirch Matar Thecha is ready!