RECIPES USING BANANA FLOWER/VAAZHAI POO/MOCHA

PREPARING THE BANANA FLOWER

.first of all oil your hands before starting as the flower is gummy.
.peel off one leaf at a time.remove the long stick like immature bananas.
.chop off the top portion bearing the stylus and discard it.
.cut the remaining part into small pcs and soak in a bowl of water and leave in the water for 15mins.
drain out the water.
.fill fesh water in a pan and boil the flower covered with water for 15mins.
.turn off the stove and drain out all the water.
.squeeze the excess water with your fingers.

1.VAAZHAI POO(BANANA FLOWER)PUTTU CURRY

banana flower 1
kadala paruppu 1cup
ulutham paruppu 1/4cup
tuvaram paruppu 1/4cup
payitham paruppu 1/4 cup
salt as needed
dry chillies 12
asafoetida a little
oil 8tsp
ulutham paruppu 1tsp
green chillies 4
onion 1

.soak the 4 dhals
.drain the water,add salt,dry chillies,asafoetida
.and grind to a paste.
.pour this batter in idli holes and steam for 20minutes
.then allow it to cool and then shred it.
.finely chop onion and green chillies

.finely chop the banana flower and add it to boiling water
.add salt,turmeric powder 2tsp and allow to boil
.leave some butter milk and mix well
.when its cooked drain the water from the cooked banana flowers
.when it cools add it to the shredded dhal pcs
.heat oil in a kadai and add mustard,urad dal and when
.its fried well add green chillies and saute it
.add the banana flower,dal mixture and mix well
.remove from fire.



2.VAAZHAI POOVUDAN NANDU(CRAB WITH BANANA FLOWER)

chopped banana flower 1 cup
crab 1/2 kg
ginger 2tbsp (chopped)
garlic 2tbsp (chopped)
onion 1cup finely chopped
chilli 1 tsp chopped
curry leaf 1tsp chopped
salt as needed
turmeric powder 1 tsp
coconut oil 3 tbsp
grated coconut 3 tbsp
coriander powder 3tsp

.heat oil in a kadai and put sombhu, curry leaf, onion, ginger, garlic and chilli and saute well.
.then add the turmeric powder, coriander powder and saute again
.cook the banana flower and drain water and put it in the kadai and saute
.add salt and 1 cup water and allow to cook
.add chopped tomatoes
.put the crab and add 1cup water
.cook in medium flame
.after 5mins add the grated coconut milk



3.DRY SPICED BANANA FLOWER

1 banana flower prepared and boiled
50g kala channa soaked in water over night
2tbsp cumin seeds
2tbsp coriander seeds
1tsp turmeric paste
1/2tsp red chilli paste
3-4 green chillies slit into halves
2tsp ginger paste
4tbsp mustard oil
2bay leaves
2tbsp ghee
1tsp garam masala
2tbsp milk
1"pc cinnamon
2tbsp grated coconut
6masoor dal vadis fried and crushed
2tsp sugar
salt to taste

.heat the oil in a pan and add all the paste and fry for 2mins.
.mix in the boiled mocha.lower the flame and mix well.
.stir and cook for 2-3mins and then mix the channa, the green chillies and salt to taste.
.cook for further 2mins and add sugar and milk
.continue to mix well and then remobe to a serving bowl
.in another pan heat the ghee and add the bay leaves and the cinnamon stick and allow to splutter
.mix the mocha preparation again in the pan and cook for 2mins more
.remove again to a serving dish and serve garnished with coconut and fried vadis which have been crushed with a rolling pin.