KODAPPAN THORAN / VAZHAKOOMBU THORAN/ BANANA FLOWER STIR FRY

For keralites this is an usual stir fry , rich of proteins. Many of my neighbours who are non keralites have asked me the recipe for this.Even my maid was wondered when she saw me chopping this. She never have thought of having a dish with banana flower.I definetly recommend all mothers to give this to ur kids.My mother in law only takes the flower from selected variety.Though we dont have any choice , as we get it from market only. There may be some slight bitter taste in some varieties. Banana flower from Nenthra vazha is never chosen ( i am not sure). We can also make cutlets using this flower.Follow the regular way of making cutlets and add chopped flower to it.

INGREDIENTS

KODAPPAN ( chopped )	1&1/2 cups
GREEN GRAM	1/4 cup
GRATED COCONUT	2 TLSP
RED CHILLI PWD	1 TSP
TURMERIC PWD	1/4 pwd
SALT	As per taste
CURRY LEAVES	1 stem
OIL	1 Tblsp
MUSTARD SEEDS	1 tsp
GARLIC CLOVES	2 –3 Nos

METHOD:

• Chop the kodappan ( banana flower ) as shown in the pic
• As soon as the chopping, put it in clean water ( other wise its colour changes )

• In a pressure cooker, cook the green gram or long bean gram.
• In a kadai, heat oil, add mustard seeds, allow it to splutter.

• Add the chopped kodappan, curry leaves ,cooked gram , turmeric pwd and salt.
• Saute well and close the lid for 4-5 minutes and put the flame in sim.
• Mean while, using a motar and pistel, crush the grated coconut, redchilly pwd and garlic cloves.

• Once the kodappan is cooked, add the crushed items and stir well.

• Check the salt. Allow it to stay is slow flame for 1 minute and switch off

Tips: 1. If u feel the kodappan have to get cooked well, then add it first soon after the mustard splutters and close the lid and cook. Then add the cooked gram. 2. Those who doesnt like garlic , then avoid it.But i recommend for it, as it gives a flavour . 3. Kodappan gets cooked faster.

SWEET POTATO / MADHURAKIZHANGU MEZHUKUPURATTI

Sweet potato is a rare ingredient in our house as we dont like that.From child hood itself i hate that .But last week my mother in law told that her sister in law make a fish curry with sweet potato .For this dried fish is used and she likes it very much. Next day my husband bought the sweet potato ( i have the dried fish stocked ).And made fish curry with that for the first time.As it was for the first time ,i didnt took the pic.The curry was ok.But my hus didnt like the mild sweetness of sweet potato.The remaining sweet potato was there and i want to make something else with that.Thus thought to try a mezhukupuratti  and it was tasting good.Though its not typical mezhukupuratti method, but easyyyyyyy to make.It goes well as a side dish for curd rice and can also use as sandwich for kids .

Ingredients:

SWEET POTATO	½  kg
MUSTARD SEEDS	½ tsp
CORIANDER PWD	1 tsp
TURMERIC PWD	¼ tsp
RED CHIILY PWD	1 tsp
SALT	As per taste
OIL	1 tblsp
CURRY LEAVES	1 STEM

Method:
Preparation:

1. Peel the skin of the potatoes
2. Wash it thoroughly and cut it into small cubes

Lets make :)

• Heat oil in a kadai
• Add mustard seeds, allow it to pop up
• Once it done add curry leaves ( i forgot to add that ) coriander pwd, turmeric pwd and red chilly pwd 
• Saute it suddenly .otherwise will get burned
• Quickly add the potato cubes

• Saute well so that all masalas get stick to the potatoes
• Cover it with a lid and allow it to get cooked
• It may take very little time approximately 10 minutes
• But check in btw and add salt once its little bit cooked ( though i added it first , but it seems to reduce the speed of cooking )

• Only take care that the potatoes doesnt get over cooked other wise it make become mushy
  

BEETROOT LEAF THORAN

We all are familiar with betroot thoran.This thoran is not with  betroot but by its leaf, believe me..its so tasty and doesnt have any raw smell..

Ingredients:

BEETROOT	A BUNCH
MUSTARD SEEDS	1 TSP
RICE	1 TSP
TURMERIC PWD	¼ TSP
RED CHILLY	3-4 NOS
SALT	AS PER TASTE
RICE	1 TBLSP
GRATED COCONUT	2 TBLSP

Method:

• Cut the leaves form the beetroot and immerse it in water for 10 minutes.Drain the water and again clean it in fresh water for 2 to 3 times.
• On a chopping board , cut the leaves finely

• In a pan, add the oil.
• Once it gets heated up, add mustard seeds 
• When it starts to pop up, add the rice and saute
• When the rice starts to fry, add the redchiilies which are broken to two pieces

• Also add the curry leaves
• Now add the finely chopped beet leaves , turmeric pwd and salt
• Saute well and close the pan with a lid

• Allow it to cook in low flame, it may take up to 4- 5 minutes
• In  btw , open the lid and give a stir
• Once done, add the grated coconut

• After a minute switch off the flame

 NB:

• This is the simple method. We can also add sliced shallots with mustards and rice and also with the grated coconut.Just need to crush the shallot with coconut ...