Spice up your life with green chilies!

You know how sometimes your food tastes like it's missing something? And when you add a pinch of your favorite spice and suddenly, it tastes amazing? That's what green chilies do. They're a must-have in Indian cooking, giving everything from curries to daals that perfect kick.

But how did these little green firecrackers make their way into our hearts and kitchens? Let’s get into how they can jazz up your meals and make them go from “meh” to “wow”!

Green chilies have great nutritional value as they contain some very essential nutrients. Let's break down what's in a cup of green chilies (about 80 grams), without making it look like a boring nutrition label to you.

Green chilies are loaded with healthy nutrients that are good for your well-being. And let's not forget capsaicin, which is great for your circulation and can help keep inflammation in check.

• Packed with vitamin C: Boosts your immune system, keeping you healthy and resilient.
• Lots of fiber: Ensures smooth digestion, preventing digestive issues.
• Iron boost: Elevates your energy levels, combating fatigue and tiredness.
• Fight Off Free Radicals: Antioxidants in green chilies protect against cellular damage.

The best thing about green chilies? They're versatile. You can slice 'em, dice 'em, or just throw them whole into whatever you're cooking. They're great in everything from curries and dals to salsas and sauces.

Here are some fun and simple ways to incorporate them into your cooking:

• Classic Indian daals and curries:You can enhance the flavors of your daals and curries by adding chopped green chilies during the cooking process. Their heat complements the spices beautifully.
• Traditional Tadka: Level up your tadka (tempering) by frying green chilies with mustard seeds, cumin, and garlic in hot oil. Pour this sizzling mixture over lentils, soups, or vegetables to add a smoky, spicy flavor that's typically Indian.

• Green chili pickle: The zesty green chili pickle in vinegar and lemon juice turns any meal from boring to something amazing in a flash. It's the perfect sidekick for curries or a spicy kick for sandwiches or wraps.

• Stuffed green chili (Bharli mirch): These are chilies filled with a mix of cheese, spices, and sometimes meat, then fried or baked until golden. They're a hit at any table, offering a spicy, cheesy treat in every bite.

• Spicy guacamole: Finely chop a green chili and mix it into your avocado for guacamole with a kick.
• Stir-fry with a twist: Add sliced green chilies to your next stir-fry for an instant flavor boost. Be it vegetables, chicken, or beef, the chilies will add a bit of heat that makes every bite more flavorful.
• Marinated meats: Before grilling or roasting, marinate your meats with a mixture that includes chopped green chilies.
• Homemade salsas and sauces: Make homemade salsas and sauces by blending in some green chilies. They bring a fresh, fiery flavor that compliments the acidity of tomatoes or the sweetness of mangoes in salsa.

So, next time you're in the kitchen, staring down at your dish and wondering what's missing, reach for a green chili. And at Shana Foods, we're all about celebrating those flavors that bring our dishes to life. Shana brings you fresh and frozen green chilies so that you can spice up anything in a jiffy. Here's to the green chilies – the tiny, mighty pods of tanginess.