VAZHAIPOO / PLANTAIN FLOWER KOOTU

Vazhaipoo Kootu is the traditional south indian kootu/gravy variety that is made of vazhaipoo or plantain flower. It can be served along with the hot steamed rice. You can also make usili or poriyal or vadai using this plantain flower. This is very tasty and delicious as we make this kootu with the freshly grinded masala. Lets look at the steps of making this kootu.

Preparation Time : 30 mints | Cooking Time : 30 mints |Serves: 3 - 4

Ingredients :

Plantain Flower / Vazhaipoo - 1 cup (chopped)

Channa dal - 2 tbspn

Toor dal - 4 tbspn

Tamarind extract - 1/2 cup Salt - as required

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tbsp

Oil - 1 tbspn

Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp Curry leaves - few Hing - a pinch

Thin Buttermilk - to soak vazhaipoo

To roast and grind :

Coriander seeds - 1 tbspn Channa dal - 1/2 tbspn Grated Coconut - 2 tbspn Cumin seeds - 1/4 tbspn

Red chili - 3

Method :

1. Soak the tamarind in 1/2 cup of water and extract the juice. Cut the vazhaipoo and soak it in butter milk. Soak the toor dal and channa dal for 30 minutes. Then pressure cook it with little turmeric till its soft. The channa dal will not be completely marshy it will be little crunchy.

2. Roast the coriander seeds,cumin,channa dal and red chili till golden without adding oil. Then add the coconut and mix well. Remove from flame and allow it to cool down. Grind it to a fine paste. In a pan add the vazhaipoo by draining buttermilk water and add turmeric powder, salt and asafoetida. Add the tamarind extract to this and mix well. Allow the vazhaipoo to cook completely.

3. Then add the cooked dal and mix well. Then add the grinded paste and adjust water as per your required consistency. Allow it to cook well. Switch off the flame. Temper with mustard seeds and curry leaves and add it to kootu and mix well.