Hawaii Plantain and Indian fry, Vazhaikkai varuval

 Vazhaikkai varuval - Unripe banana roast

Ingredients:

Unripe Banana - 2

Oil - 2 tbsp

Fennel - 1 tsp

Curry leaf - 1 sprig

Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

Salt - 1 tsp

Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp

Hing - a pinch

Cumin powder - 1/4 tsp

Cilantro (chopped) - 2 tbsp

Method:

Peel the banana.

Cube it.

Start cooking immediately to retain the white color.

Heat 2 tbsp peanut oil (any cooking oil) in a wok.

Add 1 tsp fennel.

As fennel gets red, add the chopped banana along with curry leaf.

Add turmeric , salt. Stir well.

Reduce flame.

Cook covered for 10 minutes.

Open and check if it is almost cooked.

Then add the red chili powder, cumin powder, hing. Mix well.

Cook covered in low heat for 5 minutes.

If it is Nenthrankai (Kerala plantain), then add 2 tbsp water to cook. Other bananas won't require water to cook.

Open the lid. Switch off.

Garnish with finely chopped cilantro and stir well.

Vazhaikkai varuval is ready !

Serving suggestion:

Serve as side dish with sambar rice or any less spicy rice like lemon rice.

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தேவையான பொருட்கள் :

வாழைக்காய் - 2

எண்ணெய்  - 2 tbsp

சோம்பு  - 1 tsp

கறிவேப்பிலை - 1 sprig

மஞ்சள் தூள் - 1/2 tsp

தூள் உப்பு  - 1 tsp

மிளகாய் தூள்  - 1/2 tsp

பெருங்காயத்தூள்  - சிறிதளவு 

சீரக தூள்  - 1/4 ட்ஸ்ப்

கொத்தமல்லி இலை- 2 tbsp

Vazhaikkai roast

This roasted plantain is one my favorite. For the first time I tasted it long back from my friend Usha's tiffin box. Then I learned that it was prepared by her sister . Just like most us, I too have the habit of formulating the recipe after tasting a good food. So I kept that taste in mind and prepared it for my mom. From then on it became a regular in our house and we call it as a best alternative for fish fry:)

Ingredients:
unripe banana - 2
oil - 2 tbsp

To grind:

onion - 1/4
garlic - 2 cloves
fennel - 1 tsp
garam masal powder - 1/2 tsp
red chilly powder - 1 tbsp
turmeric - a big pinch
salt - to taste
besan flour or maida flour- 1 tsp

Method:

Cut and remove the head and tail of unripe raw banana. Peel a thin layer of skin from plantain (optional).
Bring to boil enough water to immerse the plantain.
Cook the bananas completely.
Check by piercing a sharp knife and see if it gets through without much effort.
Switch off. Let it cool. Cut it into 3/4 an inch thick rounds.

Grind the ingredients mentioned above to a fine paste.
Apply this paste all over the plantain pieces. Keep aside.
Heat a flat pan and apply a thin coating of oil (few drops).
Then place all the pieces flat.
Reduce flame. Sprinkle 1 tbsp oil over the pieces.
Let them cook for few minutes (2 minutes) and flip once. Again sprinkle a tbsp of oil all over. Cook till they get dark red color.

Take out and enjoy.

Serving suggestions:

Makes a good side dish with curd rice or any 'dhal / sambar over rice'.

Makes an attractive party food.