Vazhaikkai Podi / Spicy Plantain Powder Mix

Some of the traditional recipes calls for a very few ingredients and they are very easy to prepare. Vazhaikai / Plantain podi / powder is one such traditional and rare recipe prepared in tambram households.  I remember my mom used to roast the plantains in a charcoal barbecue stove called Kumiti back in India.  This powder tastes heavenly when mixed with hot steamed rice along with mor kuzhambu as a side dish.

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Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Yields: 2 cups

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Ingredients:

Plantain / Vazhaikkai / Raw banana - 3

Toor dal - 2 tbsp

Urad dal - 2 tbsp

Chana dal - 1 tbsp

Red chillies - 4

Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp

Curry leaves - 4

Sesame oil - 2 tsp

Salt - to taste

Method:

1. Rub plantains with 1 tsp of oil.
2. Roast the plantains on open flame until it turns black and soft on all the sides.  Alternatively you can also broil the plantains in an oven until soft.  Allow it to cool and peel.  Crumble the plantain.
3. Roast toor dal, urad dal, chana dal and red chillies in a skillet with 1 tsp oil till golden brown. Remove from heat. Roast the curry leaves and asafoetida while the skillet is still hot. Let it cool completely.
4. Place the roasted dals in a blender and grind to a coarse powder.  Add the crumbled plantain and salt.
5. Pulse until combined.
6. To serve:  Mix the powder in steamed rice with a dollop of ghee or sesame oil.