The Right Way to Cut Bell Peppers for Any Dish (Yes, It Matters!)

Capsicum, also known as bell pepper, is a versatile vegetable used in everything from noodles to garnishes and gravies. Available in red, green and yellow varieties, this vegetable is available year-round, but is especially fresh during winter. Rich in potassium, sodium, protein, fiber and vitamin C, it is not only delicious but also healthy. Eating capsicum helps in weight loss and improves digestion. You can add it to countless recipes, but how you cut it matters. Cutting it correctly is the key to getting the best taste and making your food look good. So, let’s talk about cutting techniques.

Read this also: Quick and Easy Paneer Capsicum Masala: The Ultimate Delicious Gravy That You Must Try Now!

Here are 5 tips for cutting bell peppers for different recipes:

1. Remove the seeds first:

Start by cutting off the top and bottom of the bell pepper. Once that’s done, take a knife and run it down the center of the bell pepper. This will separate the center and the seeds, making it easier to remove them all in one go.

2. For the noodles:

Bell peppers add great flavor and color to noodles, but you need to cut them into julienne (thin strips) to cook them evenly. Cutting the bell peppers coarsely will cook them unevenly, leaving some pieces uncooked. For perfect noodles, always use thin, uniform strips that cook well.

For the gravy or vegetable:

Capsicum is a star in mixed veggies or kadhai paneer, and cutting it into cubes is the best way to prepare it for these dishes. When making gravies like shahi paneer, cutting the capsicum into pieces allows it to cook evenly with the spices and blend easily when pureed. This makes for a silky, flavourful gravy.

For the salad:

Bell peppers work wonders in salads, but big cubes won’t do. You’ll need to chop it finely. Start by cutting off the edges, then take one piece and cut it lengthwise into four or five strips. Put them together and chop finely with a sharp knife for best results.

Final suggestion:

Always use a sharp knife when cutting capsicum. This will cut the vegetable easily without any resistance, but use a sharp knife carefully!