Vazhaipoo Masala Rice

             For the first time i tried masala rice with Vazhaipoo.Very rarely i find this healthy Vazhaipoo/Banana blossom and this time i want to make something interesting and tried this rice recipe.I added some cooked tuvar dal also to make it wholesome and tasty.I used the coriander masala which i used for my Carrot rice with coriander masala.The masala rice came out really good and unexpectedly my kids loved this rice and enjoyed it along with chips and curd.This is so easy n simple and suits for perfect lunch box recipe.

Ingredients

1. Cooked Rice    1 cup
2. Vazhaipoo   1 and 1/2 cup(cleaned and finely chopped)
3. Onion    1 medium(sliced)
4. Tuvar dal    4 tbsp
5. Coconut    1 tbsp(shredded)
6. Green chilli    2 no.s(finely chopped)
7. Ginger    1 tsp(finely chopped)
8. Lime   1/2 lime
9. Turmeric powder   a pinch
10. Salt   to taste
11. Cilantro     few finely chopped

To Temper

1. Oil    1tbsp
2. Mustard  seeds    1/2 tsp
3. Chana dal     1 tbsp
4. Urad dal      1 and 1/2 tbsp
5. Dry red chilli     2 no.s(broken)
6. Curry leaves    few

To roast and Grind

1. Cumin seeds    1 tsp
2. Coriander seeds    2-3 tsp

Method

• First clean(remove the stamen n bract from each flower) the banana blossom and then finely chop them n soak it in thin buttermilk until use.
• Dry roast the cumin seeds and coriander seeds lighlty and grind it to a little coarse powder and keep aside.
• Cook tuvar dal with a pich of turmeric and 1 cup of water..cook till soft but not mushy and keep aside.

• Now cook vazhaipoo with a pinch of turmeric and very little water..cook covered for 10 minutes and then keep aside.

• Heat oil in a pan, add the tempering ingredients and fry them lightly and then add green chillies,curry leaves and onions and saute for a minute.

• Then add finely chopped ginger and saute till raw smell leaves.
• After that add cooked Tuvar dal and stir for a minute and then add shredded coconut and vazhaipoo mix everything gently and stir fry for 1-2 minutes.

• Now add the coriander cumin masala powder and saute for 1-2 minutes and add cooked rice and enough salt.
• Mix everything gently and fry the rice nicely so that all the rice gets completely blended with all the other ingredients and add the lime juice and stir well.

• Lastly add finely chopped cilantro and turn off the stove.
• Thats it...Vazhaipoo Masala rice is ready.Serve Hot of pack to your lunch box along with Potato Fry / Vazhaikkai Fry or any desired veg fry.

Notes:
Instead of Cooked Tuvar dal,Cooked Yellow moongdal can also be used.
If you you can increase the amount of shredded coconut also
Adding lime juice is optional..can try without lime juice also but it gives nice flavor n taste :)