Vazhathandu Poriyal | Banana Stem Stir Fry | Plantain Stem Poriyal

Banana Stem has lots of benefits. We all are aware of the medicinal uses of banana stem. Nowadays many people are suffering from kid stone problem. Even doctor suggest them to include these stems in their diet as they prevent and treat kid stones. So we all know these common use. The other uses of banana stem are: it helps to loss weight, for diabetic patients to maintain their blood sugar level, prevents blood pressure, constipation,and hyper acidity. They are rich in potassium and vitamin B6 which helps in production of hemoglobin and insulin.

It helps to relieve ulcer and has cooling effect on the body.  It is equal to fruits. I learned from one of my friend and my mom that if we add them very often we will suffer from bone problems. They got this information from a popular TV show. So, this can be had once in a week. I am not sure about how true it is. Banana stem, banana flower and the fruit do magic on human body. Isn't it? Recipe after the jump...

Vazhathandu Poriyal

Recipe Cuisine: South Indian | Recipe Category: Lunch

Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Serves: 4

Ingredients:

Vazhathandu / plantain stem - 1

Onion - 1

Turmeric - 1/4 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Urad dal - 1 tsp

Red chilli - 2

Curry leaves - few

Oil - 2 tsp

To grind:

Coconut - 1/4 cup

Red chilli powder - 1 tsp / 3 red chilli

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Method:

Remove the outer part and chop the plantain stem into small pieces.

Grind coconut, cumin, chilli powder into a smooth paste.

Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds. Once it starts to crackle, add the urad dal, broken red chilli and curry leaves.

Add the chopped stem, salt and stir fry for 10 to 15 mins. Once it got cooked, add the ground masala, turmeric.

Sauté till the raw smell is gone and remove from flame.

Enjoy!

Pictorial:

Keep all your ingredients ready

Grind coconut, cumin and chilli powder coarsely

Just like this

Peel the outer part of the banana stem. This part is not necessary

Now cut the stem into thin round slices. Remove all the fibres from it

Stack the chopped banana stem slices and cut them lengthwise

Now rotate it and cross cut it

Soak them in water with turmeric to avoid discoloration. Now use a ladle or skewers to remove the remaining fibre

You can see the fibres we got from the stem

Now heat oil in a pan. Once the oil becomes nice and hot, add the mustard seeds and urad dal

When the mustards starts to splutter, add in broken red chilli and curry leaves

Add the chopped onion and saute till it becomes translucent

Now, add the banana stem, salt and stir fry for 15 mins

When the stem gets cooked, add the ground coconut masala

And turmeric

Stir fry for another 2 to 3 mins and put off the flame

Its  ready!