Stir fried raw banana / plantains

An easy to make side with raw banana / green banana. Cubes of raw banana is cooked in microwave quickly until they are soft. And then they are tossed in crispy fried shallots, spices and cooked until crispy and golden.

 

 

 

Ingredients

• 1 Raw Banana / plantain
• 2 Teaspoon Coconut oil
• 1/2 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
• 1/2 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
• 1 Sprig of curry leaf
• 1 Dry red chilli broken
• 1/3 Cup finely chopped shallots or sambar onions
• 1/2 Teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Salt to taste
• 1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro leaves chopped finely
• 1 Tablespoon fresh grated coconut for garnish ( optional )

Directions

1. Peel the plantain - Cut off the ends. Using a paring knife, slice and open a tiny piece of skin at the edge. And remove the peel in strips using your fingers and a knife. Discard the skin
2. Cut the raw banana in halves lengthwise. Then Cut each half into three equal thick strips lengthwise. Cut each strip into cubes
3. In a microwave safe bowl, add green banana cubes, a big pinch of salt and 1/2 Cup water and microwave on high for 2 minutes. The goal is to cook them until they are soft. Do not over cook, they turn mushy. Drain water completely and set aside
4. In a pan / kadai, heat coconut oil. When the oil is hot, add mustard and cumin seeds
5. When they splutter, add curry leaves
6. When the curry leaves turn crispy, add broken dry red chilli and fry for 10 seconds
7. Immediately add shallots , sprinkle a big pinch of salt and fry on medium flame until they are crispy and golden
8. Add red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, salt to taste
9. Add partially cooked raw banana to the pan and gently mix/ toss such that the masala coats raw banana cubes evenly
10. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and simmer
11. Since the raw banana is already cooked in microwave, you just need to cook further until they turn crispy and golden
12. Stir / toss in between the cooking process. Once they turn crispy and golden switch off the flame
13. Garnish with cilantro leaves and grates fresh coconut and serve hot as a side