Banana Flower / Vazhaipoo Usili Recipe

I tried usili with vazhaipoo for the first time.It came out very well.I got this recipe from my MIL.I am posting this for my future reference and to share with u all !!

Ingredients 

For usili 

• Toor dal – A fistful
• Chana dal – A fistful
• Red chilly – 2-3 nos
• Hing /Asafetida – 1/4 tsp
• Banana flower – 1/2 no
• Salt & water – As needed

To temper 

• Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Urad dal – 1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves – a few
• Shallots – a few (finely chopped )
• Oil – 1 tbsp

Method :

• Soak the dals for 1 hour and grind it course with red chilly,hing and salt.Add water only if necessary.Set aside..
• Take the flowers in between the red layers . Apply oil on ur hands , remove the stamen (kalan in tamil ) from the  flowers and chop it finely .Soak in buttermilk/ water. (The black colored one is stamen..Hope u all know it )
• Mix the ground dal mixture and the chopped flowers . Check for salt .Steam it in idly pot by spreading the mixture in idli plate or cooker.( I did in idly pot , it took nearly 15 mins)
• Remove and let it cool.Crumble the mixture and set aside.
• Then heat a kadai with oil and do the tempering part.Add onions and saute well.
• Finally add the cooked usili to it and mix well.  check for salt and add if necessary.
• If u want u can add grated coconut .( I dont add  )
• Serve with sambhar / curd rice..We usually mix this in plain rice adding sesame oil..!!

 Catch u all in my next post.. Bye