Raw banana in Dhal / Vazhakkai Pappu & Kootu

"The cravings of a pregnant lady may drive you crazy at times" quoted by the the huss. Imagine asking for ice cream at 10.00 pm and insisting that it needs to be only Bavarian flavor from Baskin Robbins will drive anyone to their wit's end. No this is not copied from Salaam Namaste, this is what I am experiencing. My cravings are peculiar.

I have never opted for meals when we dine in restaurants. It was usually naan with some side dish and when it comes to Adyar ananda bhavan, it had always been butter naan with PB masala. But all of a sudden, I wanted to have full meals. It came as a surprise to the huss and to be frank even to me. So our stop for the weekend lunch was A2B. I ordered, I ate and I was contented. The raw plantain side dish that was served was so nice that even after a week I was reminded of its taste.

So finally gave in to the lingering craving and tried it at home. It was easy to make and we had it with rasam saadam. A perfect comfort meal.

~*What U Need*~
Raw Banana - 1
Pear Onions - 10
Tomato - 1(medium)
Hing Powder - a pinch
Garlic - 2 pods
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Toor dhal - 1/2 cup
Channa dhal - 1/4 cup
Green chilli - 1
Salt - to taste
Water - as needed

For tempering
Oil - 3 tsp
Urad dhal - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/8 tsp
Red chilli - 1

How I Made it:
Wash and soak toor dhal and channa dhal for 1 hour. Chop shallots into two, roughly chop the tomatoes. Chop raw banana into small cubes.
In a pressure cooker, add all the ingredients except those under tempering, enough water and salt and cook for 3 whistles. When done and in required consistency, adjust salt and remove from flame.
Heat oil in a pan, temper with mustard & fenugreek seeds, urad dhal, curry leaves and red chilli. Pour this tadka on the dhal and mix well.

My Notes:
> You can alter the consistency by boiling off the excess water.
> You can use this as the main course or as a side dish.
> I reduced this to minimal water and used this as a side dish for rasam saadam. The combination was awesome.

So thats it Folks...
With Love,

Signs off!!!

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Aviyal - A traditional South Indian Cuisine

Aviyal - This is a traditional and authentic south Indian recipe and is my favorite (when prepared by mom). Ever since I got married, I have not tried it but I have been craving for this.. Whenever I land up in my hometown, I ask mom to make 'Sambar and aviyal'. Love this combination.

So one day, hubby dear encouraged me to do this and so got the recipe from mom and tried it.
Came out really really well. It came out nearly perfect... Happy with the outcome, I tried it again on Tamil New Year and it was so very yum. Would love to have this dish anytime.

~*What U Need*~

Snake gourd, Yam, Potato, Carrot, Beans, Brinjal, Raw Banana, Cucumber
2 cups of these vegetable cut into long pieces
Grated coconut - 1 cup
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Urad Dhal - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - 2 sprigs
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Garlic cloves - 2
Turmeric powder
Green chili - 1
Small onions / shallots - 6-7
Thick curd - 4 tbsps
Coconut oil - 2 tbsps

How I Made it
Heat coconut oil in a non stick tawa. Add mustard seeds and allow to splutter. Then add urad dhal and curry leaves.
Now add the cut vegetables and give it shake and close with a lid. Do not use your spoon on the vegetables. Cook the vegetables in medium heat

Now blend coconut, cumin seeds, garlic, Turmeric powder, curry leaves, green chilli and shallots to a coarse mixture.
Add curd and give it a pulse.

Check the vegetables and once cooked add the ground mixture. Add salt and some water. Allow it to boil for 2 mins and then off the flame...

Serve with rice.

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Kola Urundai aka Fried Raw banana balls

This is MIL’s recipe which she again adapted from a local TV program. She made this for us one day and it was a hit with my husband. When going through my pantry during a Sunday cleaning session, I came across a whole raw banana lying there idly. The next instant this recipe struck my mind.

Makes – 15 – 20 balls; Preparation time – 20 mins

~* Ingredients *~
Raw banana – 1
Small onions – 10
Grated Coconut – 1/4 cup
Green chili – 1
Curry leaves – half of a handful
Cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon
Salt – to taste
Oil – for frying

The Making:

Pressure cook the raw banana for 3 whistles / till the banana is fully cooked. The banana should become soft and mushy. Cool it down and peel the outer layer.
Meanwhile, blend the onions, coconut chili, curry leaves and cumin seeds in the mixie till you get a coarse mixture.
Mash the banana well with your hand without any lumps. Add the above mixture to the banana paste, add salt and mix well. Set aside for 15 mins.

Form the mixture into small balls (the size of a gooseberry) and fry them in oil till evenly golden brown.
Serve hot. This makes a good side dish for rice or can be used as an evening snack. It can also be used to make Kofta curries which I haven't tried yet but will surely try it in the near future and share the recipe. :)

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