BANANA BLOSSOM DHAL/ VAZHAIPOO KOOTU






My mother-in-law typically makes these kinds of dhal with greens or vegetables almost every week for breakfast. Our favorites are the ones with greens or ridge gourd and she serves this as a side dish for idlis and dosas rather than rice. These kinds of dhals go well with rice and chapathis too. Her preparation is also a very simple one, kind of one-pot dish using a pressure pan. Dhal with banana blossoms was very new and interesting to me, so I decided to take a couple of quick pictures just before we had our breakfast. These shots were taken at the table with my baby girl sitting on a feeding chair from across the table and looking intently to see what was I doing and taking a peep at the dishes and plates on the table.

INGREDIENTS:
1. Banana blossoms removed from a flower.
2. Moong dhal, 1 cup.
3. Onion, medium size, 1.
4. Tomatoes, 2.
5. Green chilies, 2.
6. Ginger-garlic paste, 1 teaspoon. (optional).
7. Chili powder, 1 teaspoon.
8. Coriander powder, 2 teaspoons.
9. Hing or asafetida, 2 pinches.
10. Turmeric powder, ¼th teaspoon.
11. Mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon.
12. Cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon.
13. Curry leaves 4-5.
14. Chopped cilantro, 1 tablespoon.
15. Salt as per taste.

PREPARATION:
Clean the blossoms, chop them finely, and soak them in a diluted solution of buttermilk for 10-15 minutes. Chop the onions and tomatoes and slit the green chilies into 2. Heat the pressure cooker or pan with a tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds and let it splutter. Add the cumin seeds and fry for a few seconds. Add the chopped onions and sauté for a few seconds until the onions are tender. Then add the chopped tomatoes, green chilies, ginger-garlic paste, curry leaves and keep sautéing for a few more minutes until everything is well blended. Now add chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, asafetida, washed moong dhal, chopped banana blossoms (squeeze out the excess water from the blossoms before adding), and salt along with 2 cups of water. Mix everything well and cook for up to 3 whistles. Once the pressure is released, add chopped cilantro and let it simmer for 5 more minutes before serving. Serve hot with rice, chapathis, idlis, or dosas.

23 comments:

Hari Chandana P said...

Wowww.. Sounds interesting and tempting.. Delicious Dal.. Looks awesome !!
Indian Cuisine

Rumana Rawat said...

Lovely breakfast feel like eating now:)

Priya Suresh said...

Healthy and one of my fav kootu,lovely dish to enjoy without any hesitation..

Raks said...

We make in a different way. Will have to try this way, sounds nice...

Lena Jayadev said...

this looks delicious Gita...we make cutlet with it, bt not kootu... :)

Aruna Manikandan said...

haven't tried kootu with vazhaipoo.
looks healthy and delicious dear :)

BeenaShylesh said...

thats withy grt tast...i used to have when we r on vaccation

Hamaree Rasoi said...

Very healthy and delicious looking kootu.

Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi

Suja Manoj said...

Sounds interesting ,healthy dal

Unknown said...

Yum, sounds delicious :)

KrithisKitchen said...

Wow.. this looks like a must try one..

http://krithiskitchen.blogspot.com
Event: Healing Foods - Banana

divya said...

Wowww.. Sounds interesting and tempting.. Delicious Dal.. Looks awesome !!

Prathima Shivraj said...

Voww, helthy and delcious dal, looks inviting.

Vaishali said...

Gita, thanks for a banana flower recipe-- looks delicious. I've always been intimidated by the banana flower because I've never cooked it before, but now I'll be sure to pick one up the next time I'm at the Asian grocery store.

GEETHA ACHAL said...

பகிர்வுக்கு ரொம்ப நன்றி...ரொம்ப அருமையான ஹெல்தியான கூட்டு

Urmi said...

Interesting and innovative recipe. Looks delicious and yummy. Perfect for breakfast.

SpicyTasty said...

healthy and delicious kootu

Suman Singh said...

Healthy and delicious dhal..never cooked with banana blossoms yet..something new to try my hands on..thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Hi Gita - first time here - I am happy to see a blog dedicated to recipes for diabetics :) Will be sure to check in often - following you dear - please do check out my blog and follow too! thanks and cheers, priya

Uma Anandane said...

Hi,Nice to c u blog again.Vazhappoo kootu reminds me of my childhood days :)..nice post

San said...

Hey dear, kootu sounds delicious n yummy. Loved the dosa on the platter. Now wonder your baby kept watching you do some great stuffs,taking pics n sharing healthy recipes with us. May be she is learning it from you from now on.

http://sanscurryhouse.blogspot.com

priya said...

interesting and delicious

Noah Berkowitz said...

Another great recipe to cook with banana! Hi, thanks for your healthy recipe, I am always visiting your site whenever I search a recipe. Keep on sharing!
-Noah Berkowitz-^_^