Banana Stem Curry / bale dindina palya

Many a times, we get bored buying and eating the same set of vegetables every week. When we look out for some healthy change, we can choose banana stem to cook some awesome dish. This is good for weight loss since it is high in fiber.

Here is one such recipe of Banana stem for you.

Ingredients

Banana stem - 1 medium sized

For Masala

Coconut - 1/2 medium sized
Mustard Seeds - 1 spoon
Red Chillies - 8 to 10
Tamarind - one small lemon sized
Jaggery - 4 spoons
Ghee - 2 spoons
Salt to taste

For Seasoning

Oil - 2 spoons
Bengal gram dal - 1 spoon
Turmeric - 1 pinch
Mustard seeds - 1/2 spoon

Method

Buy (or bring from your farm..) a fresh banana stem. Remove outer layers which are pretty hollow, until you get firm center part. Finely chop the center portion. To prevent chopped pieces turning grey, mix lemon juice (this is optional).

An optional step - Banana stems will be very fibrous. If you don't like thready stuff, you can soak the chopped stem and stir it using a wooden rod or even a steel spoon and remove off the threads.

Heat a thick bottomed Kadai. Pour the oil. Add bengal dram dal, mustard seeds. Now add turmeric powder. Once the mustard seeds starts spattering, add finely chopped banana step and two cups of water and salt. Cook these ingredients for about 15 minutes.

In a mixer grinder, grind grated coconut, red chillies, tamarind and mustard till it is finely grounded. Add this masala and jaggery to the cooked banana stem. Mix all ingredients and cook it for another 15 minutess by occasionally stirring it. You can also add the ghee during last 5 minutes of cooking to add extra aroma and taste.

This dish goes well with both rice and chapati.

Recipe courtesy - Gayathri, my sister in-law.