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.

Boiled Eggs in an Instant Pot - Easy to Peel!

Boiled Eggs you say? The easiest thing in the world and why write a post about it? But here is the problem, whenever eggs are cooked in a sauce pan, the peeling of the eggs are a pain. I bet most of you have had this problem. Cook for 8 minutes exactly, cook and then pour cold water, immerse in the ice bath, none of them instructions worked. I mean the eggs were cooked alright but when I peel them, half the cooked egg ended up in the compost pile. I could never peel them without nicks and bruises!

DD2 loves boiled eggs and while that is the easiest thing to do but... I have also heard that fresh eggs have problems while peeling the shells but we have chickens which means fresh eggs are all we've got :)

Anyway this is until I started using the Instant Pot. It took a while to start using the Instant Pot for boiling eggs but once I started and figured it was perhaps the easiest method to deal with those pesky egg shells.

If you do not have an Instant a pressure cooker works just fine, cook for one whistle.

Take the eggs in an Instant Pot and set it to either Egg setting (5 minutes) or Manual 8 minutes depending on if you want soft or hard boiled eggs.
Once cooked cool the eggs by adding cold water.
Peel the eggs as easy as peeling a clementine :)
Peel the eggs as easy as peeling a clementine :)

See how easy that was?

Boiled Eggs in an Instant Pot
Cooking Time: 8 minutes
How to do it?

1. Take the eggs in the Instant Pot with enough water.
2. Turn on the Egg setting which is 5 minutes for soft boiled eggs and Manual 8 minutes for hard boiled eggs. Turn off when done.
3. Let the pressure release normally.
4. Add some cold water to the pot and once the eggs are warm to the touch you can start peeling the eggs.

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