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.

SPRING ONION THORAN

As i said early too..winter is season of  variety vegetables. Spring onion was usually used in chinese items in my house during early days of cooking and as it requires only a small qty .The spring onion also remains left over in my fridge.One of my frnd told me this recipe and it went well as side dish for rice.One of my favourite thoran!!!!.

Ingredients:

SPRING ONION	1/2 kg
ONION	1 no finely chopped
GREEN CHILLIES	3 no splitted
GINGER	1"  finely chopped
COCONUT	1tblsp grated
RED CHILLY PWD	1tsp
SALT	to taste
OIL	1tblsp

Method:

• Wash the springonion thoroughly and remove the roots from the bulb.
• Cut finely  as we do for spinach
• In a kadai, add the chopped onion, and saute in med flame until it turns translucent.

• Add the finely chopped ginger and splited green chillies
• Saute it for 3 minutes , then add the chopped spring onion, turmeric pwd and salt

• Cover the kadai with a lid and cook it in sim for 3 mintues
• Mix the spring onion well and again keep the  lid cover for 2 more minutes
• Mean while grind the grated coconut and red chilliy pwd . ( i did this during morning hurries so used the pieces of coconut and together with chilly pwd given 2-3 pulse in the mixer grinder )

• Add the grounded pwd to the spring onion and mix well and keep simmer for 1 more minute

•  Remove from flame and serve hot with rice..

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 ...