Vazhaipoo kootu/Plantain flower kootu

Vazhaipoo kootu/Plantain flower kootu is a tasty and healthy accomplishment for Rice. This is an authentic South Indian Brahmin recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Banana Flower/Vazhaipoo (Chopped)
• 1/2 cup Toor dal
• A gooseberry size Tamarind
• 1 tsp Jaggery
• 2 tbsp Grated Coconut
• 1 Green chilli
• As per taste Salt

For Dry roasting:

• 1 tbsp Channa dal
• 1 tbsp Urad dal
• A small piece Hing
• 2 tbsp Coriander seeds
• 2 Red chillies

For Seasoning:

• 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
• A spring Curry leaves
• 2 tsp Oil

Method:

1) In Banana flower, remove the flowers part from each big cover. Again remove the stamen and small outer cover from each flower. Chop them and immerse in a bowl of butter milk. For detailed process, click on How to clean and cut Vazhaipoo

2) Add salt and turmeric powder to vazhaipoo with butter milk. Pressure cook it 2-3 whistles. Also pressure cook toor dal and set aside. Next add warm water to Tamarind and leave it to cool down. After it cools, extract the juice and discard the pulp.

3) Dry roast Channa dal, Urad dal, Red chillies, Coriander seeds, Hing and transfer to a plate to cool down. After it cools, grind them along with Coconut and green chilli to coarse mixture. If you have already prepared Curry powder, you can skip this dry roasting step and grind coconut and Green chilli along with Curry powder.

4) Heat oil in a kadai and add Mustard seeds to crackle. Next add Curry leaves and give a quick fry. Add the Cooked vazhaipoo (along with water) and leave it to boil for a min.

5) Next add Tamarind juice, Jaggery and leave it to boil for few more minutes.

6) Add Cooked toor dal and mix well. Next add ground coconut mixture and mix well. Leave it to boil for few more minutes and switch off the flame.

Yummy and healthy Vazhaipoo kootu is ready.