Vazha pindi parippu thoran/Banana stem and lentil stir fry

    

 Each and every part of a banana tree is useful in one way or the other. Here we are going to prepare a highly nutritious dish using the banana stem. Banana stem is considered to be very helpful in controlling diabetes and kidney stone.              

We can prepare it in different ways. Here i am sharing my mom's style of preparing the stir fry, using chana dal . Don't know how to clean and chop it? Check Here

Ingredients:

• Vazha pindi / banana stem : 1 small
• Kadala parippu / chana dal : 1/4 cup
• Grated coconut : 1/4 cup
• Turmeric powder : 1/4 tspn
• Chilly powder : 1 tspn
• Garlic: 1 clove
• Salt

To temper:

• Mustard / kaduku : 1/4 tspn
• Black gram / Uzhunnu : 1/4 tspn
• Dry red chilly : 2
• Curry leaves : 1 sprig
• Oil

Method:

• Prepare banana stem for cooking  Chop it into small pieces.
• Cook chana dal with enough water and salt on a high flame (Half cooking is enough). After one whistle, switch off the flame .Keep aside.
• Heat a pan with oil.
• Add mustard seeds and let it splutter.
• Add black gram/ uzhunnu and wait till it turns light brown in colour .
• Add dry red chilly and curry leaves.
• Now add chopped vazha pindi /banana stem and saute it well.
• Add turmeric and chilly powders.
• Mix it well and add cooked chana dal with water. If necessary add an extra 1/4 cup of water. Close the pan and cook it till the vazha pindi / banana stem turns soft.
• If it is a fresh stem, it won't take much time to cook. Meanwhile crush both garlic and grated coconut.
• Add it to the stir fry and mix well.
• If you like dry stir fry keep it on the stove for a few more minutes. Stove should be in simmer mode.

Note:

• You may add shallots together with garlic.
• You may replace chana dal with cowpeas or green grams.