Capsicum Pirandai Podi Sadam – Flavorful South Indian Capsicum Rice

** 🫑✨Simple ingredients, bold flavours, and a super comforting lunchbox favourite — ready in minutes!**

🌿 Capsicum Pirandai Podi Sadam is a flavorful, easy-to-make South Indian rice variety cooked with crunchy peanuts, aromatic spices, and homemade pirandai podi. Perfect for busy weekdays, travel food, or a satisfying lunchbox meal — this dish brings together heat, aroma, and crunch in every bite.

If you’re looking for a wholesome, no-onion, no-garlic flavoured rice that still tastes like heaven, this is a must-try!

🍚 Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Serves: 3–4
• Cuisine: South Indian
• Course: Main

Ingredients

• Capsicum – 500 g (finely chopped)
• Cooked rice – 1 cup (cooled)
• Pirandai podi / Curry podi – generous amount
• Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
• Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Urad dal – 1 tsp
• Chana dal – 1 tsp
• Curry leaves – few
• Hing – pinch
• Sesame oil – 2–3 tbsp
• Peanuts – handful
• Salt – to taste
• Ghee – 1 tsp

👩‍🍳 Method

Prep

• Dry roast peanuts, remove skin, and pulse coarsely (do not grind to powder)
• Cook rice and cool completely

Cook

1. Heat oil in a kadai. Add mustard seeds.
2. When they splutter, add urad dal & chana dal — roast to golden brown.
3. Add hing & curry leaves — saute briefly.
4. Add finely chopped capsicum & turmeric powder.
5. Cook 7–8 minutes on medium-high until capsicum releases water.
6. Increase flame & cook until water evaporates.
7. Add salt & generous pirandai podi/curry podi, saute 4–5 minutes.
8. Add cooked rice & gently mix on low flame.
9. Add peanuts, ghee, mix well & rest 5 minutes before serving.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve hot with:

• Curd or buttermilk
• Papad or potato chips
• Simple kootu / poriyal on the side

Perfect for: ✅ Lunchbox
✅ Travel food
✅ Quick weekday lunch

💡 Tips to Make Perfect Capsicum Rice

• Spread rice on a plate to cool — prevents mushiness
• Chop capsicum evenly for uniform cooking
• Always saute until moisture evaporates to avoid soggy rice
• Roast peanuts separately — adds crunch
• Add rice only at low flame

🔄 Variations

🥗 Nutritional Benefits

• Capsicum rich in Vitamin C & antioxidants
• Peanuts provide healthy fats & plant protein
• Pirandai podi supports digestion & strengthens bones
• Sesame oil is heart-friendly

A wholesome recipe suitable for all ages!

🧊 Storage

• Stays fresh for 4–5 hours at room temperature
• Best consumed same day
• For lunchbox packing: cool slightly before packing

A simple yet flavour-packed South Indian rice variety that makes everyday meals delicious. Try it, save it, and share it! 💚

🎥 Video Tutorial