Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Vazhaikai Podimas / Plantain Spicy Stir-Fry

Did you know that every part of the banana tree is edible or has its uses? Banana, Plantain, Banana Blossom, Banana Stem are all used in Indian cooking and Banana Leaf is the traditional way of serving food in. I love banana stem and would love to eat the stir-fry with yogurt. I do not get it where I live and miss it so much. Plantains are also not common either and I picked up these plantains during my grocery shopping promising my better half that he will get his favorite bajji (fritters). I did make the ever famous Vazhaikai Bajji (Plantain Fritters) on a gloomy Sunday evening. But also reserved one for making this favorite podimas for myself. I used the spice mix powder I made for preparing the Ennai Kathirikkai Kuzhambu.
Also do check out my Vazhaipoo Vadai and Baked Vazhaipoo Vadai.
Ingredients:
Serves - 2
Plantain/Vazhaikai - 1
Oil - 2 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry Leaves - 4
Onion - chopped fine - 1/2 cup
Spice mix powder - 2 tsp (recipe follows)
Method:
Boil about 1 litre of water with half a tsp of salt and a pinch of turmeric powder. Cut the ends off of the plantain slice it into half and drop it into the boiling water and cook it covered. To check for done-ness insert a knife and see if it goes through smoothly. Make sure that the plantain does not turn mushy. It should be firm but done. Drain the water and allow it to cool. Peel the skin off and grate the cooked plantain. Grating the plantain when it is hot or if it is mushy would spoil its texture. Heat oil in a non stick pan and add the mustard seeds and urad dhal. When the mustard seeds splutter add the curry leaves and chopped onion. When the onions turn translucent add the spice powder and mix. Add the grated plantain and mix well. Cook for about 2 mins and remove from heat. Serve with rice. I enjoyed it with Ennai Kathirikkai Kuzhambu.
Spice mix powder:
Oil - 1 tsp
Fenugreek - 1/2 tsp
Dry Red Chillis - 7
Toor dhal - 3 tsp
Urad dhal - 3/4 tsp
Chana dhal - 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Method:
Heat oil and fry all the ingredients (except salt) in medium heat for about 5-7 mins. When roasted well, allow it to cool and grind to a fine powder in a mixie/coffee grinder adding salt.
Sending this to ABC series - B for Banana event by Ramya.

39 comments:

  1. sounds scrumptiously tasty..
    awesome presentation krithi..;)
    Tasty Appetite

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  2. we too make like this but we skip adding onion.simple and yummy curry

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  3. This is new to me. BTW sounds healthy n tasty. Love it.

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  4. Love the recepies and knew about msot of the use exept fot teh stem:))

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  5. we too make this almost the same way krithi,luks delicious and yum...

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  6. wow wonderful presentation and looks delicious ........

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  7. Delicious recipe... Love this version!!. I love plantains a lot..

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  8. Loveee this curry :) Its so delicious :)

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  9. Love podimas with rasam rice,my fav combo..beautiful dish..

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  10. nice looking podimas krishi-well presented

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  11. Delicious looking curry,sounds so yummy.

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  12. Plaintain Stir fry looks delicious !! love to have with sambar rice !!

    Ongoing Event - CC-What's For Friday Dinner??

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  13. A simple & flavorful stir fry..The spice mix five this a nice & mouthwatering aroma :)
    Prathima Rao
    Prats Corner

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  14. Comfort plaintain stir fry, love its combo with curd rice krithi. Pics are awesome.

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  15. Luks delicious and perfect taste-match for Kara kuzhambu with steamed rice.Yummmmmy.

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  16. Blog-walked to your site and My!You have a whole load of delicious recipes.Haven't cooked plantain in ages and I got to pick up a bunch next time in the store.
    Following you pronto,and hopping in more often...

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  17. thanks krithi.. i was looking for this recipe for quite a long time.. i had this during my college days.. I did try but couldnt get the proper texture while grating .. i will surely try this

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  18. wow that looks really yummy! Amma made this a lot without onions though :)

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  19. I make this podimas too. Yummy and simple too.

    Vardhini
    Event: Halloween Fiesta

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  20. Apt with sambar rice...looks very appealing

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  21. That looks scrummy! A great way of preparing plantains.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  22. We do make the same way and looks delicious and linked my cornflakes mixture to festival potluck.

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  23. They made my mouth watering. Lovely presentation n clicks. They look crispy n yummy.
    And krithi u can find china salt in any indian store.

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  24. Mouthwatering dish.......Very nice clicks. I am drooling here.

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  25. lovely recipe and beautiful clicks

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  26. This is one of my fav recipes, but never tried making it. Will do now. First time here. Loved your blog.
    Anzz
    www.anzzcafe.com

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