VAZHAIPOO-MURUNGAIKEERAI KOOTU:
A classic south-indian combination, Very tasty and healthy meal. Some of the benefits of both healthy combo are
About Murungai keerai/drumstick leaves
- rich in fiber
- These leaves are known to control the diabetics and improve the glucose tolerance.
- These leaves are exclusively control the blood cholesterol levels mainly Total cholesterol level and Triglyceride levels.
- Rich in anti-oxidants which helps to prevent from diabetic and cardiovascular diseases.
- It helps to regulate the blood flows that helps to reduce even the menstural cramps too.
- One of the most recommended greens during pre and post pregnancy.
About vazhaipoo/ banana flower
- Rich source of vitamin A and minerals
- It reduced free radical activity
- It reduces menstrual bleeding
- It manages diabetes and anemia
- It helps in lactation
- It reduces anxiety.
Ingredients:
- Banana flower – 1 cup
- Drumstick leaves – 1 cup
- Pasiparuppu/moong dhal – 1/4 cup
- Kadalaparuppu/ split chick pea – 2 tblsp
- Small onion/shallot – 5 nos (halved)
- Tomato – 1 no
- Garlic – 3nos (crushed)
- Cumin seeds/ seeragam – 2tsp
- Asafetida – ¼ tsp
- Manjal podi/Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
- Grated coconut – 2tblsp
- Water – as req
- Salt – as req
For tempering:
- Gingelly oil – 2 tsp
- Kadugu/ mustard seeds – 1tsp
- Urad dhal/ ulundhu – 1tsp
- Dry red chilli – 3 nos
Procedure:
Step 1:
Clean and cut the banana flowers (as shown in fig), take off the drumstick leaves from the sprig-(as shown in fig) wash and keep aside. Wash and cut the onions and tomato.
In a pressure cooker add moong dhal, split chick peas, small onion, tomato, garlic, 1 tsp cumin seeds, asafetida, and turmeric powder. Pour some amount of water as required to your dhal and pressure cook it for about 2 whistles.
Step 2:
Place a kadai add a tsp of gingelly oil, once the oil get hot add mustard seeds and urad dhal and let it splutter, now add the broken red chilies saute for a while, now add the drumstick leaves first saute for about 2-3 mins and add the chopped banana flower, let it cook for another 2-3 mins with required amount of water to the kootu.
After sometime, add the dhal mixture along with req amount of salt.
Step 3:
Meanwhile grind the coconut and cumin seeds finely and pour the mixture into the kootu and bring it to boil and turn off the flame. Serve hot with a scoop of white rice.
SPECIAL NOTE/TIP
- How to take off the drumstick leaves
- Pl refer the picture
- How to clean the banana flower
- Pl refer the picture
- Before cooking, soak the chopped banana flower in a bowl of water along with a tblsp of curd.
- Always grease your hands with some coconut oil before clean the banana flower/ banana stem/ raw banana.
