Vazhakkai Poriyal/Raw Banana Poriyal

This vazhakkai poriyal is a simple side dish for rice, made with freshly ground spices. The freshly ground powder does the magic to this Vazhakkai Poriyal. Next to potato fry this is the most wanted at home.  It is so easy to make and perfect for a lazy Sunday.. This poriyal along with rice and rasam is a feast!

Now to the recipe…

Vazhakkai Poriyal Ingredients:

• Raw Banana – 3 ( Small)
• Turmeric Powder – a pinch
• Salt – as needed
• Oil – 1 tbsp
• Mustard – 1tsp
• Curry leaves – a sprig

To dry roast and grind to a coarse powder:

• Red Chilly – 3
• Coriander seeds – 1 tbsp
• Chana Dal – 1 tbsp
• Jeera/Cumin – 1 tsp
• Peanuts – 1 tbsp
• Grated Coconut – 1 tbsp

Method:

• First dry roast the above items except coconut until a nice aroma comes from it. Finally add grated coconut and fry it for a few seconds and switch off. Cool it and grind into a coarse powder and keep aside.

• Peel the skin of raw banana and cut them into cubes. Keep this immersed in water. Cook it with salt and turmeric powder until soft but not mushy. It should be firm.

• Heat a pan with oil and temper with mustard and curry leaves. Add the cooked raw banana cubes and saute. Add the coarsely ground powder and mix until it combines well.

Spicy Vazhakkai Poriyal is ready. Serve hot with rice and rasam or sambar.

Tips:

1. Adjust red chillies according to your taste. This was a bit spicy, May be u could reduce it to 2.
2. Cook the raw banana carefully, as will it turn out mushy very quickly.

Linking this recipe to the event “Lets cook with green vegetables” and “Flavours of the world”

– By Sundari Nathan