Green Banana (Vazhakkai) Fry II

My Mom prepares Green Banana Puttu and usual fry. This recipe is something different I saw my neighbors preparing. I tried today with small Bananas I had and deep fried them for my son who is fond of chips. I got this recipe here. I searched for the recipe that gives a tangy flavor, but couldnt find. I need to check out with my friends..

Ingredients:

Green Banana (small) 3

Chilli Powder ½ tsp

Rice Powder ¼ tsp
Ginger-Garlic Paste ¼ tsp
Water 3-4 tsp
Salt

Preparation:

Peel and chop Green Banana into circular shape pieces.

Method:

Combine chopped Green Banana with all the other ingredients. Mix well. Keep it aside for 15 minutes.

Deep fry till done.

Serves: 2

Serve with Rice and Sambar or any Kuzhambu.

Notes:

Green Bananas can also be shallow fried and large Bananas can also be used. I think Large Bananas would suit the best for shallow frying.

Linking this recipe to Priya & Aipi's Bookmarked Recipes Event: Every Tuesday and Anyone can cook Series of Taste of Pearl City. 

Vazhakkai / Green (Unripe) Banana Fry

Both the Ripe and Unripe Banana are good sources of Vitamins and Minerals. Unripe Banana has a good starch content and takes more time to digest. Also, it is served to those who suffer from Diarrhea. For more unknown facts check out here. There are many methods to prepare Vazhakkai fry. This is one of them.

Ingredients:

Unripe Banana(small) 4

Curry Leaves 5

Grated Coconut 4tsp

Dried Red Chillies 1-2

Cumin ¾ tsp

Turmeric Powder ¼ tsp

Mustard Seeds ¾ tsp

Water

Salt

Oil

Preparation:

Peel the outer skin of Vazhakkai and cut into thin circular pieces.

Grind Together: Coconut, Cumin and Chillies.

Method:

Heat required Water in a Pan. Add chopped Vazhakkai. Boil till it becomes soft and half cooked. Drain water and keep it aside.

Heat Oil in a Pan. When hot, add Mustard Seeds. When popped, reduce flame and add Curry Leaves. Add Vazhakkai,Turmeric Powder and Salt. Mix well. Fry till almost done on a medium flame.

Now add ground Coconut-Cumin-Chillies mixture. Fry for 2-3 minutes more till done.

Serves: 2-3

Serve hot with Rice and any Kuzambhu or Sambar.

Updated on Apr 23, 2011:

Green Banana can also be chopped into small cubes and prepared in the above described method. Cutting this way helps cooking faster.

Also see Green Banana Puttu.

Puli Kuzhambu / Tamarind Curry

Vendaikkai Puli Kuzhambu

Puli Kuzhambu is one of the traditional South Indian Stews made with Vegetables in Tamarind Extract. Generally, this Kuzhambu does not require Tomatoes as we include more Tamarind.I like my mom, make this often. This Kuzhambu stays good and fresh for a longer time.

Ingredients:

Chopped Vegetables ½ cup (350ml cup)

Tamarind  (Lemon Size)

Water 4 cups (350ml cup)

Sambar Powder 2.5 tbsp or to taste

Asafoetida crystal  1 / Asafoetida Powder ¼ tsp

Garlic Cloves 5

Pearl Onions 6

Curry Leaves 5

Mustard Seeds/Kadugu 1 tsp

Fenugreek Seeds/ Vendhayam ½ tsp

Salt 1.5 tsp or to taste

Sesame / Til Oil 4-5 tbsp

Preparation:

Soak Tamarind in one cup of water for 15-20 mins.

Extract Tamarind Juice using 3 more cups of water and strain.

Chop Vegetables and Pearl Onions. Peel off Garlic.

Method:

Heat Oil in a pan. When it is hot, add Mustard Seeds.

Wait till it pops up, reduce flame.

Add Fenugreek Seeds. Wait till it crackles.

Add Garlic and Pearl Onions. Fry till it turns slightly brown.

Now add Vegetables and strained Tamarind Juice.

Add Sambar Powder, Asafoetida and Salt. Do not add water.

Boil on a medium flame till the kuzhambu reduces.

Simmer for some more minutes so that it gets thickened more and the oil floats on the top.

Serves: 3-4
Serve hot with Cooked Plain White Rice and any Dry Curry/Poriyal(contains Coconut) or any Kootu.

Note: Be careful while frying Fenugreek Seeds. If burnt, it would give a bitter taste. This Kuzhambu tastes better only if it is thickened more.

Vegetables used in Puli Kuzhambu:

Cluster Beans (Kothavarankai Puli Kuzhambu in Tamil)

Drumstick (Murangaikkai Puli Kuzhambu)

Okra / Ladys Finger(Vendaikkai Puli Kuzhambu)

Turkey Berry / Pea EggPlant(Sundaikkai Puli Kuzhambu) - Use 1/4 cup of Sundaikkai.

Some Combinations:

Drumstick and Brinjal

Plaintain (Vazhakkai) and Cluster Beans

This Kuzhambu can also be made only with Garlic and no vegetables called as Poondu(Garlic) Kuzhambu. In this case add, 8-10 Garlic. This Kuzhambu stays fresh for 1-2 days without refrigerating.

Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu is a also form of Puli Kuzhambu.

Vazhakkai / Green (Unripe) Banana Puttu

 

I like Vazhakkai very much. This recipe is very different from the usual preparation. This is an ideal side dish if your Kuzhambu/Curry is hot and spicy.

Ingredients:

Green(Unripe) Banana or Raw Plaintain (Large) 3

Dried Red Chillies 3

Kadalai Paruppu / Channa Dhal 2tsp

Pearl Onions  4

Curry Leaves 5

Mustard Seeds  ¾ tsp

Salt ½ tsp or to taste

Oil

Preparation:

Chop Pearl Onions.  Cut Red Chillies into halves.

Method:

Cook Raw Plaintain along with its skin.  Remove the skin and grate it.

Heat Oil in a pan. When it is hot, add Mustard Seeds. Wait till it completes popping up, reduce flame. Add Curry Leaves, Dried Red Chillies and Pearl Onions. Fry till the Onions turn slightly brown.

Add grated Raw Plaintain and Salt. Mix well. Fry on a medium flame till done. Do not fry for a longer time as it becomes over crispy.

Serves: 3

Serve with Rice and any Kuzhambu.

Notes: Make sure Green Banana is not overcooked.