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A creamy, tangy, and mildly spicy curry from Hyderabad featuring large green chilies in a rich peanut, sesame, and coconut gravy. The perfect accompaniment for a flavorful biryani.
For 4 servings
Prepare and Fry the Chilies
Roast the Masala Ingredients
Sauté Onions and Grind the Paste
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A creamy, tangy, and mildly spicy curry from Hyderabad featuring large green chilies in a rich peanut, sesame, and coconut gravy. The perfect accompaniment for a flavorful biryani.
This hyderabadi recipe takes 60 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 338.82 calories per serving with 5.82g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.
Cook the Curry Base
Simmer the Salan
Garnish and Serve
Replace the green chilies with small, whole brinjals (eggplants) to make Baghare Baingan, a similar Hyderabadi curry. You can also use bell peppers or okra.
For a richer, creamier texture, add 1 tablespoon of white poppy seeds (khus khus) or 8-10 cashews to the roasting ingredients before grinding the paste.
If you prefer more heat, add 1-2 dry red chilies while roasting the spices, or use a spicier variety of green chilies.
The base of the gravy is made from peanuts, sesame seeds, and coconut, which are excellent sources of heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Spices like turmeric (containing curcumin), ginger, and garlic are known for their potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which can help combat oxidative stress in the body.
Sesame seeds provide calcium and magnesium, important for bone health, while peanuts offer plant-based protein, niacin, and other essential minerals.
The best chilies are large, thick-fleshed, and mildly spicy varieties. Bhavnagri chilies are traditional, but banana peppers or Anaheim peppers are excellent substitutes.
Despite its name, authentic Mirchi ka Salan is not overwhelmingly spicy. It has a balanced flavor profile that is tangy, nutty, and slightly sweet, with a mild heat from the chilies. You can control the spice level by choosing mild chilies and removing their seeds.
One serving of Mirchi ka Salan contains approximately 310-340 calories. The calorie count can vary based on the amount of oil and nuts used.
Mirchi ka Salan can be part of a healthy diet in moderation. It contains healthy fats from peanuts and sesame seeds, protein, and beneficial compounds from spices like turmeric. However, it is calorie-dense due to the oil and nuts, so portion control is recommended.
Yes, for a nut-free version, you can substitute peanuts and sesame seeds with an equal amount of desiccated coconut and a tablespoon of poppy seeds or melon seeds (magaz) to achieve a similar thick, creamy gravy.
Mirchi ka Salan stores well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavor actually deepens and improves the next day. Reheat gently on the stovetop before serving.