Vaazhaipoo Vadai/Banana Flower vada

I got vazhaipoo(Banana Flower from H-mart(Chinese market)) when i had been to Denver and decided to make vadai from it.It takes quite some time and patience but i finally got it!

Ingredients:

Banana flower:1
Bengal gram:1 cup
Onion (finely chopped):1
Green chilli:2
Ginger garlic crushed:2 tsp
Curry leaves:10-12
Coriander leaves (finely chopped)

Cumin seeds:1/2 tsp

Fennel seeds:1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder:just a pinch or two
Asafoetida powder/hing:1/4tsp

Salt to taste
Oil (for deep frying):3 cups
Buttermilk (diluted):2 cups

How to make it:

To clean the banana flower:

1. Apply oil to both hand to avoid sticking.Take off the purple outer covering and remove the bunch of florets. Repeat the process until you reach the center.

2. Separate each flower from the bunch and remove the stamen(black bud). Chop the florets and soak them in buttermilk with a pinch of salt to avoid discoloration.

To make the vadai:

1. Soak Bengal gram for at least a couple of hours. (2-3 hours).Take a few pieces of dal and keep separately(not for grinding).
2. Then wash and drain the water completely with a paper towel, grind coarsely and mix chopped onion, green chillies, ginger garlic, curry leaves, coriander leaves, Asafoetida powder, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, chopped flowers (drain all water before adding to Dal,along with the ungrounded dal) with salt.
3. Mix everything to form a thick dough. Heat oil and deep fry them in batches. Drain excess oil and serve.

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep....."
--ROBERT FROST

Rava/Suji Upma(Non traditional way)

Rava upma or sooji upma has always been done one way at my house, the traditional way without onions or garlic or even the veggies . so i decided to make a non-traditional one .Here is how i made it.

Ingredients:

Coarse Suji/Sooji/Semolina – 1 cup
Oil – 1 tbsp +1 tsp
Mustard Seeds – 1/2 tsp
Cumin Seeds – 1/2 tsp
Channa Dal – 1 tsp
Raw Peanuts – 2 tbsp
Urad Dal – 1 tsp
Broken Cashews – 1 tbsp
Turmeric Powder – 1/4 tsp
Dry Red Chili – 1
Asafoetida – pinch
Curry Leaves – few
Green Chili – to taste, finely chopped
Ginger – 1 tsp, grated
Onions – 1 small, finely chopped
Peas & Carrots – 1/2 cup
Salt – to taste
Water – 1.5 cups
Yogurt – 1/2 cup, well-beaten
Cilantro – garnish, finely chopped

How i made it :

1. In a heavy bottomed pan on medium heat, pour in 1 tsp of Oil.
2. Add in the Suji/rava and roast till it starts to get a little golden color and emits a wonderful aroma.
3. It is very important to keep stirring and Suji tends to burn.
4. Once done, transfer the Suji to another bowl to stop the cooking process.
5. On medium heat, in a non-stick pan, pour in the 1 tbsp of Oil.
6. Allow it to heat up and then add in the Mustard Seeds.
7. Once they start popping, add in the Cumin Seeds, stir and add in Channa Dal & Peanuts.
8. Cook for 30 seconds and add in Urad Dal and the Broken Cashews and allow them to turn light golden in color.
9. Add in the Dry Red Chili, Turmeric Powder and Asafoetida. Mix.
10. Add in Green Chili, Curry Leaves, Onions and Peas & Carrots.
11. Saute until the Onions till they are cooked but not browned .
12. Also, add in salt at this time.
13. Meanwhile, mix the Yogurt with the Water. Pour into the pan. Keep mixing.
14. Add in Ginger and allow the liquid to come to a boil.
15. Once it comes to a boil, lower heat and add in the Suji little at a time.
16. Mix really well and make sure there are no dry lumps/spots of Suji.
17. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes.
18. Open the lid and mix and fluff up the Upma.
19. Turn the flame off, cover and allow it to rest for another 5 minutes.
20. Open and serve with Cilantro as garnish (lime juice optional).



"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
 But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep....."
--ROBERT FROST