Vazhakkai Masala Fry (Plantain Spicy Masala Curry)

Category: Lunch / Poriyal
Preparation Time: 10 mins +15 mins marination
Cooking Time: 15 mins
Servings: For 2-3 persons 

Vazhakkai Masala Fry

Ingredients:

• Vazhakkai / Plaintain - 1 big sized / 2 small ones
• Onion, finely chopped - 1 small sized
• Oil - 1 tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Urad dhal - 1/2 tsp
• Channa dhal - 1 tsp
• Curry leaves - few
• Salt-  to taste
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

To Roast and Grind:

• Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp
• Red chilly - 2-3 nos (adjust as per spice level)
• Curry leaves - few
• Garlic - 3 pods
• Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
• Pepper - 1 tsp
• Coconut - 3 tbsp

Method:

1. Heat a pan in a low/medium flame and dry roast the coriander seeds and red chilly for 30 secs and then add the garlic pods, curry leaves, fry till we got nice aroma; then add the pepper and cumin seeds fry for few secs
   
2. Switch off and finally add the coconut
   
3. Allow the mixture to cool and grind it to a coarse paste with very little water
4. Peel the skin and chop the plantain into bite sized cubes; keep it in water to prevent browning
5. In a wide bowl, add the ground masala, turmeric powder and salt, mix well
   
6. To this masala, add the  plaintain pieces (without water),Mix well and allow to marinate for atleast 15 mins
   
7. After marination time, heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, Urad dhal, channa dhal and curry leaves and fry till the dhals turn golden brown
   
8. Add the finely chopped onion and fry with a pinch of salt till it becomes transparent
   
9. Then add the marinated plaintain pieces along with 3-4 tbsp of water and cook covered in medium flame till it gets cooked and become soft. Take care not to turn it mushy
   
10. Once the water gets evaporated and the vegetable gets cooked, fry for another min and switch off
    
11. Serve hot with Rice, Sambar or Rasam and also tastes fantastic with curd rice!