Vazhaikai podi

Introducing a couple of items that we would not normally associate with a banana. One - a hot, spicy podi to go with white rice and the other - a saree. Yes, you read that right. A saree. Weavers from a town called Anakaputhur - barely 5 miles from my place in Chennai - are making wide range of sarees from banana fibre!

Coming to the recipe, plantain podi is one of my favorite recipe, which I am sending to the event 'Banana' hosted by Sameena in her blog 'My Culinary Creations'

Ingredients : 4 tbsp -- Channa dal 2 tbsp -- Urad dal 7-8 nos -- Dry red chillies 1/2 plantain 2 tbsp -- grated coconut (optional) 1 tsp -- asafoetida 1 pinch -- Tamarind 1 tsp -- oil Salt to taste Method : --- In a medium heat, take a pan and add a tea spoon of oil and dry roast all the ingredient except plantain, salt and coconut if using. Roast the mixture till the dal colour changes to golden brown. --- Transfer the mixture in a plate and keep aside to cool . --- Meanwhile, peel the half plantain and dice them finely and cook them in the same pan. Just sprinkle some water and close the lid , will be cooked in minutes. Allow it to cool. --- Once the dal mixture is cooled, grind them to a coarse powder, now add the cooked plantain, salt, and grated coconut if using to the powder and pulse the mixer for 2-3 times, just to mix them thoroughly. --- Do not run the mixer in high speed, the banana will be get smashed, and you will not be able to enjoy the tiny bits of banana taste. --- Enjoy this podi with steaming hot rice and a spoon of gingelly oil.