Vazhaipoo Parupu usili (Banana flower)

Another traditional recipe from my mother in law


Ingredients
Banana flower (vazhapoo):  1 medium
Bengal gram dhal (Kadala parupu): 1/2 cup
Toor dhal: 1/4 cup
Hing: 1/8 tsp
Turmeric powder: 1/2 tsp
Red chillies: 2 (Add more if you want more spicy)
Oil: 1 tablespoon
Mustard seeds: 1/2 tsp
Urad dhal: 1 tsp
Curry leaves: a sprig
Salt: to taste


Procedure:
Step1:
Soak the toor dhal and Bengal gram for atleast 1 hr


Step2:
Meanwhile remove the stamens from the banana flower and chop it.

While preparing the banana flower always put the florets in water mixed with little buttermilk to avoid the florets turning black

Step3:
Cook the florets in enough water. Add salt and turmeric powder in the boiling water and then add the florets.Cook for around 10 minutes in medium flame. Do not over cook

Step4:
Alllow the cooked florets to cool and then filter out the excess water


Step5:
Now grind the both the dhals with asafoetida,salt, turmeric powder, red chilli and salt to a coarse paste without adding water

Step6:
Cook the dhal mixture
Option1: Steam cook this in idli stand for 5 minutes


Option2: Grease a microwave safe bowl with little oil and microwave for 2.5 minutes
You can cook the dhal using either of the above methods

Step7:
Cool the cooked dhal and crumble it with your hand. Alternatively this can be pulsed in the blender as well


Step8:
Add 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. Once it starts spluttering add urad dhal and curry leaves

Step9:
Add the crumbled dhal mixture and fry for about 5 minutes until it crisp.


Step10:
Add the cooked florets and saute for a couple of minutes. Adjust salt if necessary (Note that already we have added salt in the dhal as well as the vegetable)

Other vegetables that can be added in place of banana flower

• Cluster beans (Kothavarangai)
• Beans
• One of my friends mom made this using beetroot as well

Notes:

• Do not overcook the vegetable. Otherwise it will become mushy and may not get the right texture
• When you add the vegetable to the fried dhal crumbles, make sure it does not contain excess water.
• While preparing the banana flower always put the florets in water mixed with little buttermilk to avoid the florets turning black