Pepper-Upper

Pepper has played an important role in every kind of food as it is known to add the right spice into all types of food. This pungent, hot, woody spice manages to pair well with savoury food as well as some sweet food too. Get your dose of pepper upper with these easy to cook recipes that have the touch of fiery black pepper.

Pepper Beef

Ingredients:

• 1 ½tbsp whole black peppercorns (reduce if you want less spice)
• 1 kg beef filet, cut into half inch cubes
• 4 tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 4 tsp potato starch or corn starch
• 4 tsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 3 tbsp cooking oil
• 4 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
• 2 small green bell pepper, cut into 1/2″ squares
• 2 onion, cut into 1/2″ squares

Method:

1. Crush the peppercorns in a mortar into coarse bits. 
2. Place the beef cubes in a bowl and mix the pepper in it. Add oyster sauce, vinegar, starch, soy sauce and sesame oil. Mix thoroughly and marinate it for at least 15 minutes.
3. Now, heat a wok or a pot over high heat. Add the oil and follow that by immediately putting in the beef (leave the marinade to use later).
4. Fry the beef cubes on both sides until browned; stir-fry until the outside of the beef looks cooked and well browned.
5. Add in the garlic, bell peppers, and onions, and continue to stir-fry. Then add the remaining marinade and stir-fry until the onions and peppers are cooked.
6. Garnish with coriander leaves if you like.

Mushroom Pepper Fry

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mushroom (cleaned & chopped)
• 2 tbsp whole pepper
• 1 capsicum –  cut lengthwise
• 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste  
• 1 big onion – cut lengthwise
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp red chilli powder  
• ½ tsp garam masala (ground spices) powder
• Handful of coriander leaves – finely chopped
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 2 whole red chillies
• 2 sprigs of curry leaves
• Salt – to taste

Method:

1. Dry roast whole pepper for 2 to 3mins and powder it coarsely when cool.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add fennel seeds, whole red chillies and curry leaves -let it splutter.
3. Then add cut onions and ginger-garlic paste and sauté till golden brown. Next add the sliced capsicum and stir fry for a few minutes.
4. Follow that with mushrooms. Sauté it till water starts leaving. Then add pepper powder, coriander, red chilli and garam masala powders and mix well.
5. Cook on low medium flame for 5 minutes or so, until mushrooms turn soft and all spice powders blend in. Add in salt according to your taste and give it a quick mix.
6. Switch off the gas and garnish with coriander leaves.

Diet & Fitness Trends 2019