VAZHAI THANDU KOOTU / BANANA STEM CURRY WITH LENTILS AND COCONUT

Vazhaithandu or banana stem has lot of health benefits. In South India a variety of dishes are prepared using this part of the plant. Kootu is a preparation of vazhaithandu with dal. You may use any dal you like following the same method. This goes well with plain rice and some stir fry.

Ingredients:
Banana stem ... 1 cup
 Toor dal ......... ½ cup
 Tamarind .... lemon sized ball
Grated coconut ..... ¼ cup
Dry red chillies ..... 2
Coriander seeds ... 1 tsp
 Cumin seeds .... 1 tsp
Turmeric powder ... ¼ tsp
Salt ................ to taste

 For Tempering: 
Mustard seeds ... 1 tsp
Asafoetida ...... 1 pinch
Dry red chillies .... 1 (broken)
Curry leaves ....... 1 sprig
Oil .................... 2 tbsps

 Method:
 1. Cook toor dal in a pressure cooker with little salt and turmeric powder.
 2. Cut the banana stem removing the fibres and soak it in buttermilk until you cook.
3. Boil the chopped banana stem adding a little salt and turmeric powder until done. You can also pressure cook it .
4. Dry roast the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chillies and grated coconut. Grind it adding sufficient water.
5. Now heat a little oil in a pan and add the tempering ingredients.
6. When they crackle, tip in the ground masala paste and sauté for a minute.
 7. Add the boiled banana stem and dal. Check the salt and add if needed.
 8. In a small pan heat oil and add the tempering ingredients. When they crackle, stir them in the prepared curry.

How to cut the banana stem :

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