VAAZHA KOOMBHU / VAAZHA POOV THORAN RECIPE

Plantain / banana flowers( Vaazha poov / Vaazha Koombu) are rich source of dietary fibers , proteins ,vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids. It is said to be good for menstrual problems , diabetic disorders and stomach ulcers. A very healthy diet for pregnant women in certain dosage. They are part of many cuisines in the world. They also possess immense medicinal value.

Cleaning plantain flower can be quiet time consuming but it is worth the effort for the health benefits it offers. 

INGREDIENTS

1.    Plantain flower / Vaazha koombu / Vaazha poov : 1
2.    Grated coconut : ½ cup
3.    Turmeric powder : ¼ tsp
4.    Red chilli powder : 2 tsp
5.    Salt to taste

TO TEMPER

1.    Coconut oil : 1tblsp
2.    Mustard seeds : ½ tsp
3.    Black gram/ uzhunnu / urid daal : 1 tsp
4.    Curry leaves : 1 spring 
 

METHOD

1.    First Clean the plantain flower carefully into small pieces.( Please read my post How to prepare Plantain flower / banana flower for cooking? )

2.    Heat a heavy bottomed wok with 1 tblsp of oil and splutter mustard seeds and black gram. Add curry leaves and give a stir fry.
3.    Add chopped plantain flower to the wok and sprinkle some water for cooking, close the lid and allow to cook for some time.

4.    Mix grated coconut with turmeric powder and red chilli powder.
5.    When the plantain flower is almost get cooked, add grated coconut and salt to it and mix well.
6.    Allow o cook it for another  2-3 minutes.
7.    Serve hot with  rice.

HOW TO PREPARE PLANTAIN FLOWER/ BANANA FLOWER (VAAZHA POOV / VAAZHA KOOMBHU)FOR COOKING?

Plantain / banana flowers( Vaazha poov / Vaazha Koombu) are rich source of dietary fibers , proteins ,vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids. It is said to be good for menstrual problems , diabetic disorders and stomach ulcers. A very healthy diet for pregnant women in certain dosage. They are part of many cuisines in the world. They also possess immense medicinal value.

Cleaning plantain flower can be quiet time consuming but it is worth the effort for the health benefits it offers. 

How to prepare Plantain flower / banana flower for cooking?

1.    Wash the plantain flower well.

2.    Remove the outer petal (Purple coloured leaf like portion) and you can see a bunch of florlets inside.

3.    Brush your hands with oil and before you  start cutting to avoid sticking on to your hand

4.    Take the florlets , remove the stamen and chop finely. Discard the white colored thick bottom portion of florlets

.

5.    Keep the chopped plantain flower in water to avoid discolouration. keeping the plantain flower in diluted butter milk will prevent discolouration more  than keeping it  in water.

6.    After removing two or three outer petals, at one stage, the florets will be so small that there will be no need to remove the stamen. The outer cover will be very tender and so you can chop it as such.

7.    Keep the chopped plantain flower in water till you cook.

8.    Drain and squeeze the excess water before you start cooking.

 

BREAD PUDDING RECIPE

Bread Pudding is an easy to make pudding.I have tried eggless bread pudding here so that vegetarians can also try it.Caramel coating can be added to enhance the taste and look.

 

INGREDIENTS

1.    Bread pieces : 4
2.    Milk  : ¾ cup
3.    Sugar : 5 ½  tblsp
4.    Sugar(For caramel) : 1 tblsp
5.    Water : 1-2 tsp

METHOD

1.    Cut the bread into small pieces and add milk to it. Mash it well with a hand masher. Add sugar to the mashed content, mix well and keep aside.
2.    Heat a pan with 1 tblsp of sugar and 1 tsp of water .Tilt the pan frequently for even heating. Heat the sugar  upto the stage when it starts to turn golden yellow in color. Don’t burn the sugar which will give an odd taste.
3.    Pour the caramel into a 6 inch flat bowl, tilt the bowl for even distribution of the caramel at the bottom as well as covering a bit to the sides.
4.    Allow it to set for two minutes.
5.    Pour the bread mixture into the bowl.
6.    Cover the bowl using an aluminium foil with holes on the foil for steam to escape.
7.    Steam cook it for 20-25 minutes using a pressure cooker without the valve on top.
8.    Switch off the flame and allow it to cool.
9.    After cooling, keep the bowl in refrigerator for minimum of  3 hours ( keeping it a day in refrigerator will give better texture and flavour).
10.  Invert the bowl to a plate.
11.  Cut into desired shape and serve it with nuts or caramel on top.

SUGGESTION

1.    Heating the sugar after turning to golden yellow color will give a bitterness to the pudding.
2.    You can also prepare this pudding without caramel coating.
3.    Try to use the exact quantity of milk and sugar as mentioned, excess of one added may make the content sticky and it won’t set properly.
4.    Refrigeration of the content for a day will give better flavor and texture.