Shredded Raw Banana Roast - Vazhakkai Podimas - Vazhakkai Poriyal

If being stuck in traffic gridlock was an Olympic sport, DC area could go for gold, says this story in the Washington Post that offers the dubious distinction of being stuck in traffic for more hours than the average vacation hours. I take the bus and metro to reach work, it does not by any means reduce the number of hours stuck in traffic but at least I am not the one behind the wheel. Riding the bus or metro gives an opportunity to read a book, sleep, or chat.
If only more people would do the same and expense wise it probably might even work out cheaper than driving the car. What has Plantain Fry got to do with traffic? Nothing!

This goes to Ahaar for the JFI this month which features Bananas and Plantains are accepted too.

Finely grated Raw Banana (no turmeric added)

The recipe posted earlier for plantain fry is the simplest and quickest way to cook them. If you are ready for a little bit more work and some extra time this recipe is one to try. But the ingredients and cooking itself is very easy.

This is a very tasty dry stir fry which goes well as a side for any rice dish.

Thicker grate with turmeric powder

Shredded Raw Banana Roast - Vazhakkai Podimas (Poriyal)
Steaming Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients

1. 3 Green raw plantains or raw banana
2. 1/2 Red Onion Chopped fine
3. 2 Red Chilies broken in half and seeds removed or 4-5 green chilies chopped
4. seasonings - cumin 1/4 tsp, mustard seeds 1/4 tsp, 2 tsp urad dal and Curry leaves
5. Oil 2 tsp
6. 1 tsp turmeric powder (optional)
7. 1 tsp grated ginger (optional)
   
8. Salt to taste

Method

1. Steam the plantains till they are half way cooked and grate them in a grater. You can shred it fine or slightly thicker. I like the thicker grate better.
2. In a pan heat oil, add the seasonings, urad dal when it starts to brown, cumin, mustard seeds and curry leaves.
3. Add the red chilies or the chopped green chilies followed by onions and saute till they are translucent. If adding ginger do so now and saute for a minute. Add turmeric powder and mix it in.
4. Now add the grated plantains and salt and saute till they are roasted (4-5 minutes) or the texture you desire.

Serve with any rice dish.

Originally published 9/20/2007 at 9:03 PM.

Simple Raw Banana Stir Fry - Vazhakkai poriyal

This conversation started just like lot of other water cooler conversations. Not exactly a water cooler but a refrigerator water dispenser but you know what I mean. I was heating my lunch and we got into a conversation with a colleague about what I was having for lunch and home cooked meals. She asked if I cook everyday. Pretty much everyday I told her and the main reason being I needed lunch for the next day. She called me a "superwoman" because I was able to cook besides having two kids.

There are folks who eat lunch outside every single day. I feel kind of bleh and bloated after such outings and skip dinner so I prefer a home cooked meal. The secret is however bland or tasteless the food is, miraculously at lunch time the food will feel so very tasty. That is what an empty stomach will do your taste buds.

The truth is you don't have to be a super woman to cook every single day, just a few recipes that provide a good meal after a long day at work. You do not have to be a great cook either just a willingness to spend 30-45 minutes in the kitchen enlisting the help of family members wherever and whenever possible. A few minutes will pay dividends in terms of physical and economic health.

At DD2s basket ball practice a dad was talking about how his wife is not in a mood to cook after a long day at a job she does not like and dealing with bosses who are nasty. He said while he tries to do the best he can his wife takes a laissez faire attitude towards meals in general because she is too tired and beat. Since kids take meal cues from the mothers most of the time and she gives them permissions for eating whatever since she was not in a mood to be disturbed his attempts have been a failure. I learned an important lesson. If you have kids and are that lazy parent at least don't undermine the efforts of the other person trying to do the right thing. The sad thing is the foods lessons the kids learn at an early age is what they take with them all through life.

I am happy about the fact that the DDs eat mostly what is offered to them without much fuss. They are not picky and know how to differentiate between good and bad foods I hope. They have tried a variety of foods and don't have the choice of pizza or macaroni and cheese just because they don't like the "Indian Food" mom makes all the time. I have heard this complaint from quite a few parents that their kids don't eat "Indian Food" and they have to make something not spicy bland for their kids like pizza or macaroni and cheese. When we were young we grew up eating what everybody ate. I am not sure why it should be different now.

I know time is a luxury and most everyone have to deal with long commutes or nasty bosses or a job that they do not like but this simple act of getting into the kitchen and setting right what has been a long day will have beneficial consequences that goes much beyond dollars and cents alone.

All that talk is to reiterate the fact that there are simple recipes like this one which goes very well with the Kale paruppu. Both together will take approximately less than half an hour if done simultaneously. I am totally convinced that much time is not too much to ask of even very very busy people.

Peel the raw banana and cut into small dices.
Place the cut bananas in a pot of water to prevent discoloration. Heat the pan with oil and add in the seasonings.
Add the onions and saute till translucent. Add the chopped raw bananas and let it cook in medium heat till it starts to get a bit soft.
Add the sambhar powder and salt. Give it a good mix and continue to cook till soft and fully cooked.

So without more talk I will get into the recipe. I usually precook the bananas before adding spices like this Fry or this podimas.

Simple Raw Banana Stir Fry
Preparation Time:10 minutes
Cooking Time:20 minutes
Ingredients

1. 3-4 raw bananas
2. 1/4 cup chopped onions
3. 1/2 tbsp sambhar powder or 2-3 tsp of chili powder
4. 1 tsp yogurt (optional for soaking the cut bananas)
5. seasonings: split white urad dal (1 tsp), cumin seeds, mustard seeds and curry leaves
6. salt to taste
7. 1 tsp oil

Method

1. Peel the bananas and cut them into small dices. Put them in a pan of water mixed in with a tsp yogurt/buttermilk. This keeps the banana pieces from discoloring.
2. Heat oil in a wide mouthed pan and when hot add the split urad dal first, when it starts to turn brown add the cumin and mustard seeds. When the mustard starts to pop add the curry leaves, followed by the onions.
3. Wait for the onions to turn translucent and add the chopped raw banana and let it cook in medium heat till it is just starts to get soft (about 8 minutes). There is no need to add water but if it sticks too much just sprinkle a few tsp of water.
4. Add the sambhar powder and salt and let cook till it is soft and fully cooked (another 5-6 minutes).

Serve as side with rice and dal.

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Raw Banana masala fry - Vazhakkai masala poriyal

Raw bananas are a favorite in our house. I usually use the ones that are readily available in most grocery stores. Raw bananas are used in a lot of Latino and Caribbean cuisine and they are found pretty much in any grocery store. But the kind commonly found here in raw form are mostly plantains with an orange inside and gets a bit harder when cooked. Compared to these the raw bananas found in Indian stores get cooked nice and soft and work best in a masala fryo. There is no harm in using raw plantains but they are just not the same.

Raw plantains work in a fry or grated banana fry so give those a try if you get only raw plantains. Once ripe they taste great as a dessert when roasted with ghee and caramelized with sugar.

Raw Banana masala fry
Preparation Time:15 minutes
Cooking Time:220 5 minutes
Ingredients

1. 3 raw bananas
2. 1/2 onion chopped
3. salt to taste
4. seasoning: mustard seeds, curry leaves and a 2 green chilies slit
Masala
5. 2 tbsp coconut
6. 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
7. 6 green chilies + 1 red chili
8. 1/2 tsp of pepper corns
9. Blend the above with a little bit of water to a fairly smooth paste
10. 3 tsp of oil

Method

1. Steam the bananas till they are cooked. I use a pressure cooker without a weight. Cut the bananas in half and place them in a slotted vessel and let them steam for about 12-15 minutes. Peel and cut them into bit sized dices.
2. In a wide mouthed vessel heat a tsp of oil and add the seasonings followed by the onions. Saute till they turn translucent.
3. Add in the cooked bananas followed by the masala paste. Mix it in gently so the masala coats all of the pieces of banana
4. Add salt and add the remaining oil when required. Continue to saute till the bananas are nicely coated and the masala has lost its moisture and they are nicely roasted.
   

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Raw banana in yogurt coconut sauce - Vazhakkai Thayir Pachadi

Weeknight dinners are the hardest when you are tired and especially towards the end of the week when the choice of vegetables is very lean. I had a couple of raw bananas or more accurately plantains and went looking for a recipe. I was searching for curry than a side dish though this raw banana stir fry is what I make most often and can be served either as a snack or a meal side but not what I wanted that day.

I found this Raw Banana Curry on Mane Adige and it was perfect for what I was looking for. Other than the blending the rest happens very quickly.

Hyacinth bean flowers

Raw banana in Yogurt coconut sauce
Ingredients
1. 2 raw banana or green plantains boiled and chopped into small dice (cut the banana in half with the peel and steam cook for 6-8 minutes, cool, peel and dice)
2. 2 tbsp grated fresh/frozen coconut
3. 5-6 green chilies + 1 dried red chili
4. 1 small piece of ginger (optional)
5. 1 tsp cumin seeds
6. 2 tsp coriander seeds
7. a small piece of asfoetida
8. 1 tsp mustard seeds
9. 2 cups of whisked slightly sour yogurt
11. salt to taste
12. 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder
13. 1 tsp of oil
43. seasoning: cumin seeds, mustard seeds, curry leaves

Method
1. Blend the coconut, chilies, cumin, coriander seeds and asfoetida to a slightly coarse paste
2. In the meantime powder the mustard seeds in a coffee grinder and add it to the coconut blend and give it one more spin and set aside
3. In a pan heat oil and add the seasonings
4. Add the cooked chopped raw banana pieces along with the turmeric powder and saute for a minute
5. Add the coconut paste a cup of water and let it cook till the raw smell leaves
6. Add salt, switch off the heat and let it cool a bit (this is to avoid the yogurt from curdling)
7. Add in the whisked yogurt mix it in as you are adding the yogurt

Serve with rice. They tasted great with chapatis too. Some of my colleagues had them like soup and loved it.

Raw Banana in Coconut Sauce - Kela Sukke - Vazhakkai Thengai Masala kara kuzhambu

It is that time of the year, most days dawn dark and gloomy and the sky is threatening a deluge anytime. And these times ask for superhuman effort to be cheerful. On days like these I'll take anything that brings cheer. This is the time I miss acutely the drama/humanity filled life in India, the happenings and goings on in the surrounding houses, contacts with the people around, though occasionally a source of resentment or harassment it is also comforting for the easy participation in the rhythms of life. I never understood the value of these seemingly mundane everyday things till I lost it.

That simple spontaneous participation in the rhythms of life in general is what is missing most from our secluded lives here. There is no chance for unplanned contact with people unless you use public transportation. Probably explains why everyone is wary of the unknown and lot of people it seems to me have lost their ability to communicate in a non-formal setting. When people do come in contact with others instead of communicating they confront. There are weirdos everywhere, a neighbor called the cops on another neighbor because they had cleaners(noise) in their home before 8:00AM, which is apparently against the law a fact I had no idea about till i heard of the incident. The neighbor who had cops in her doorstep was the same one who had helped the one who had called the cops a week before the incident. I am as baffled as you will be.

I enjoy houses on the street which have multiple generations living under one roof and are busy places and gives a feeling of a minor dose of life back home. One house has 2 generations living in same house, the MIL and the newly married DIL take long walks and they are out and about even on a cold days. The sight itself is enough to bring cheer. The other neighbors I adore most are the dog walking who save the streets from taking a forlorn deserted look. Some of these dog walkers have friends who drive down to join them.


Having lived and watched my neighborhood closely for a decade I begin to realize that people are essentially the same everywhere. I doubt anybody enjoys nosy parkers and know it alls but people in general yearn to make the places more community than it being a bunch of houses. For a couple of years when the houses were newly built block parties and neighborhood get togethers were common place and then life took over and they were forgotten. We revived the practice last year and these block parties (for lack of a better name) have become something to look forward to. This to a large extent confirms that essential human trait - socializing. We even have a Ladies Chat in the works. We have partying and a bit of community service in the mix. No prizes for guessing the turnout for the party is higher than the community service projects but that is fine. Based on experience, people don't really care if they do not get information about the service projects but God help if they get left out of any parties. We are a pretty diverse neighborhood and it is amazing the different dishes that makes it to the table, who wouldn't be mad if they are left out. We are looking forward to the Halloween party tomorrow.

What are the fun stuff you look forward to in your neighborhood?


There are not many recipes that I know which use raw bananas, so when I saw this recipe on The Yum Factor a blog I came to know of thorough one of PepperMill- Miri's posts there was no going back. As I was browsing through the blog I saw the recipe and as luck would have it, had 2 raw bananas lying aimlessly in the fridge.

Raw Banana in coconut sauce
Ingredients
1. 2 Raw bananas, remove the skin and cut into bite sized pieces and dropped in water
2. 1/2 cup of channa dal soaked for a couple of hours and pressure cooked with a bit of oil and turmeric powder
3. seasonings: curry leaves, mustard seeds, asfoetida and fenugreek seeds

For the paste
1. 3 tbsp of grated fresh coconut
2. a grape sized piece of tamarind
3. 1/2 tbsp coriander seeds
4. 4 red chilies
5. 1/2 tsp of fenugreek seeds

Toast 3-5 and transfer them to the blender. Powder first, then add the coconut and tamarind and blend to a coarse paste. (I blended mine to a smooth paste and the texture is different)

Method
1. In a pot add the chopped bananas and cook till soft, add the pressure cooked channa dal and mix.
2. Now add the ground paste and salt and bring it a boil.
3.Now heat oil in a separate pan and add the seasonings and pour over the curry.
4. Turn off the heat or continue cooking till the desired consistency is reached.

This was a big hit and even the kids loved it. Was excellent over rice. Thanks Arch.

Green Banana - Vazhakkai Puli Kuzhambu (in a spicy tamarind sauce)

You can't get away from it, the news that Wall Street CEOs screwed up big time and how Paulson and the administration want to give them a break in the way of a bailout. But this is the part I just don't get, if a lowly employee in any company screwed up big time they would be marched to the door and dumped unceremoniously and that would be the end of it, but Paulson and his friends are making the case that the bailout should come without any strings attached to make it attractive for company high command, in other words the golden parachutes preserved. As a tax payer I strongly protest. I would have the markets correct themselves and learn from the mistakes. Capitalism surely is not that fragile!!

Having a lot more free time, I have been paying attention to the morning shows, they are not interesting enough to hold attention for more than a few minutes though. I was surprised at the number of cooking shows or so I thought when I saw Rachel Ray and Martha Stewart on at the same time. But a few minutes into RRs realized she was trying her hand at talk show and was interviewing Dr.Phil's wife. Martha Stewart obviously had the better quality show, she stuck to what she does best - cooking. RR would do a lot better to learn from Martha, her talk show hosting was dismal at best.

My neighbor gave a few cucumbers from his garden, they are the Indian variety with the suggestion that they can be added to dal or made into chutney. I have seen them in the grocery stores but never really cooked with them. If you know of any good recipes with them please do leave a comment.

Ever since I saw this recipe on Priya's blog Sugar and Spices a year ago I have been wanting to cook it. Priya takes beautiful pictures and presents recipes so very elegantly. I miss not seeing her post these days. I have made mine thicker than hers and altered a few ingredients.

Another recipe that I followed was from Solai's True Chettinad Kitchen.
Mine is a combination of ingredients and methods from both of these recipes.

Ingredients
1. 2 Raw bananas (I had green plantains)
2. 1/2 cup chopped shallots or small onions (added shallots and 1/4 of a red onion)
3. 5-6 garlic cloves chopped, 2 red chilies split in half
4. soak a small lime sized tamarind ball in 2 cups of water
5. 2 medium sized juicy tomatoes chopped
6. 2 tsp coriander powder
7. 1/2 tbsp sambhar powder
8. 1 tsp red chili powder (or to taste)
9. 1-2 tsp brown sugar (optional)
10. seasonings: 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp fennel seeds , 1/2 tsp urad dal, curry leaves
11. 1-2 tsp oil
12. salt to taste

Method
1. Steam cook the raw bananas, peel the skin and slice into rounds
2.In a pan heat oil, add the seasonings, when they start to turn color, add the chopped onions, garlic and the red chilies and saute till they turn slightly brown
3.Now add the sambhar, chili and coriander powders, mix
4.Add the chopped tomatoes and let them cook till they are soft.
5.Add the squeezed tamarind water and let it come to a boil
6.Now add the chopped banana and let it continue to cook till desired consistency.
7.After about 5 minutes of boiling add salt and the sugar.

Serve with rice and dal.

Flavored Curd Rice with Raw Banana Fry

Ah Spring! it is finally here. The trees everywhere are in full bloom and the birds are singing. We even have gold finches visiting. Courtesy: Linda. We also have cardinals, robins, orioles, a woodpecker or two all making their appearance. They are a joy to watch.

Cooking enough rice to last for just one meal is a delicate dance I bet most everyone is familiar with. Putting leftover rice out for a meal is not going to make you popular person but make some flavored curd rice your popularity soars. Paired with lemon pickles or a spicy potato or banana fry the meal becomes a joyous one.

Ingredients
1. 1 1/2 Leftover rice warmed in the microwave with a sprinkle of water and clumps broken up
2. 1 Cup of Warm Milk
3. 1/2 Cup Curds
4. handful chopped coriander leaves
5. a few curry leaves
6. 2-3 green chilies chopped into round
7. 1/2 inch piece of ginger chopped fine
8. few pepper corns (optional)
9. 1 tsp urad dal
10. mustard seeds and cumin seeds
11. salt to taste

Method
1. heat a pan with a few drops of oil,
2. brown the urad dal, add the mustar and cumin and when it pops
3. add the other leaves, chilies and the ginger mix it and switch off the heat
4. Pour the warm milk over the rice and mix with the curds
5. When the sauted ingr. cool add to the rice mixture with salt and set it aside for the curds to set (about 2-3 hours in a warm place)


Recipe Source: Taro Root Chips
Banana Fry
1. Steam cook the raw bananas in their skin (steamed for about 6-8 minutes)
2. Peel the skin and cut into slices
3. Mix with sambhar powder, salt and a bit of oil
4. Broil for about 6-8 minutes on each side till they turn golden brown.

Goes well with curd rice as a side.

Raw Banana Fry - Vazhakkai roast

Raw plantains are readily available in most grocery stores. While they are very similar to raw bananas but when cooked they are slightly sweeter. This recipe will work with either one of them. If raw bananas are not your thing potatoes, taro root, sweet potatoes or even beets can be used for this recipe.

Steam the raw banana in a steamer vessel, when done peel and cut into bite sized cubes.
Powder the spices and add it to the steamed banana cubes and roast till the desired color or texture is obtained.

A simple fry but jazzes up any lunch meal. If you are planning on a simple meal add this to the menu. Snack on it, that's what the kids did and loved it.

Raw Banana Roast
Preparation Time:5 minutes
Cooking Time:25 minutes
Ingredients

1. 3 Green Plantains or 3 green raw bananas, cut the ends and cut in half
2. Salt to taste
3. 1 tbsp oil (or less)

Spice Powder

1. 2 tbsp Dahlia
2. 2 Red Chillies
3. 1 tsp Pepper and Cumin (optional)
Powder the above (do mine in a coffee grinder)

Method

1. Steam the Plantains/Raw bananas (8-10 minutes), remove the skin and cut into small cubes.(see Note:)
2. In a Wok or Kadai heat about 3/4 th of the oil and when it is smoking hot add the plantain cubes and stir fry for a minute or two.
3. Add salt and toss around.
4. Add the spice powder and toss them around till all the plantain cubes are coated with the powder.
5. Sprinkle a few more drops of oil if it looks too dry and saute till roasted. (about 8-10 minutes)
6. Note:
   
7. (Steamed the raw banana in the pressure cooker without the weight. Place the plantains/raw banana in a steamer vessel)



Serve with rice or as a snack.

If you have leftover, heat them in the microwave and they are good as new but a little soft that's all.