Vazhakkai Varuval / Vazhakkai Fry / Spicy Raw Banana Fry

This is one of the simple & quickest stir fry that pairs well with any kind of south Indian meal - with sambar, rasam & curd/Yogurt or with one pot meal like Arisi Paruppu Sadham, Sambar Sadham, Bisi Bela Batha and even with Variety rice like Lemon Rice, Tomato Rice, Curd rice. Mr.V even like this fry to eat like appetizer, he finish this whole bowl in one go. He loves this kind of fry a lot and Potato Fry is his most favorite. Mostly i cook Vegetarian on all special occasions and if i ask him for the menu his choice will be Sambar, Rasam, Potato Fry, Medhu Vada & Vermicelli Payasam. I love to talk about his favorites and liking a lot but will stop here and move on to the recipe. I have already posted a simple Vazhakkai Stir Fry but this is little different from it which involves tempering and also the addition of onions which took this simple fry to next level with lovely flavor and caramelized onions with the spices smells and tastes so good that cannot be explained you have to feel it, so next time when u get Raw Banana or Vazhakkai try this simple and easy to make fry without fail and please feel free to share your lovely feedback. Now off to the recipe...

I did not took step wise for this as i did not have idea to blog this recipe but suddenly my mind changed and i clicked few pictures quickly along with Arisi Paruppu Sadham to update my old pictures. Will update the step wise pictures soon since this is our family favorite recipe and will make it often :)

Ingredients

1. Vazhakkai / Raw Banana     2 big (peeled and sliced thinly)
2. Onion   1 Medium (finely chopped)
3. Curry leaves     1 sprig
4. Turmeric Powder     1/4 tsp
5. Chilli powder     1-1 and 1/2 tsp
6. Cumin Powder    1/2 tsp
7. Hing       1/4 tsp
8. Salt   to taste
9. Cilantro    few finely chopped

To Temper

1. Oil     3 tbsp
2. Mustard seeds     1/2 tsp
3. Fennel seeds     1/2 tsp
4. Urad dal      1 tsp

Method

• Wash Vazhakkai thoroughly and peel the skin and cut into thin slices. not too thin, medium thin slices.
• Then transfer the cut slices into a microwave safe plate or bowl, spread it and sprinkle water and cook in Microwave high for 2 minutes or extra 30 seconds until it turns soft and tender but not fully cooked
• Or simply you steam it for 10 minutes.
• After that allow to cool for a while.
• Now heat oil in a pan/kadai, add mustard seeds allow to splutter, then add fennel seeds let it pop and add urad dal and fry till golden brown.
• After that add onions, curry leaves and stir fry the onion for 1 minute.
• Then add the pre-cooked vazhakkai slices, enough salt, turmeric powder,hing and stir fry for a minute.
• And add chilli powder, cumin powder and stir fry for another 2-3 minutes in medium heat without closing with lid until vazhakkai turns crisp and golden brown.
• Lastly add some finely chopped cilantro and stir well and switch off the stove.
• That's it...Tasty & Crispy Vazhakkai Varuval ready.

Notes:
You can also add 1-2 crushed garlic along with onions and saute it.
And also can add 1/2 -1 tsp sambar powder or curry masala powder for extra flavor and taste.
Microwave or steam the slices to make it tender and not cook it fully.