Raw Banana Bharta - South Indian style

 

             You must have had baingan bharta (mashed eggplant), a very popular Punjabi dish, numerous times. So how about trying out Raw Banana Bharta in a South Indian fusion style? I added some sambar powder to the end product. It is equally yummy and tastes awesome. 

             You can add some red chili flakes for extra spiciness. It goes very well with chapatti or any flat Indian bread. However, it can also be served as a side dish with dal-chawal, sambar/rasam rice or curd rice. So give it a try by checking out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 2-3 raw bananas, boiled whole
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• pinch of asafoetida
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, chopped
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 tomato, chopped
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp. coriander powder
• 2-3 tbsp. sambar powder
• 1 tsp. lime juice 
• 2-3 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Discard the skin from the boiled bananas and mash / grate it. Keep aside. Heat oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds and asafoetida.  

          After it stops spluttering, add the onion, ginger, garlic, green chilies and curry leaves. Stir fry till light brown. 

          Now add the tomato, turmeric powder, red chili powder and coriander powder. Mix everything well and sauté on a medium flame till the tomatoes are mashed. Sprinkle some water if needed.

          When done, add the grated raw banana and salt. Give it a stir and continue to stir fry for a couple of minutes. 

          Now add the sambar powder, coriander leaves and lime juice. Give it a toss and switch off the flame. Keep it covered for 2-3 minutes. Serve as a side dish with either rice or chapattis.

                     Heat oil & temper with mustard seeds & asafoetida. Allow it to splutter.

                    Add onion, ginger, garlic, green chilies & curry leaves. Sauté till light brown. 

                     Add tomato, turmeric powder, red chili powder & coriander powder. Mix 

                     well & sauté till the tomatoes are mashed. Sprinkle some water if needed.

                     Add grated raw banana & salt. Give it a stir & stir fry for 4-5 minutes. 

                    Add sambar powder, coriander leaves & lime juice. Give it a toss & switch 

                    off the flame. Keep it covered for 2-3 minutes.

                                  Serve as a side dish with either rice or chapattis.

Raw Banana Bharta (Mashed Raw Banana Curry)

         You must have had baingan bharta (mashed eggplant), which is a very popular dish on a Punjabi platter. How about trying out Raw Banana Bharta? It is equally yummy and tastes awesome. It goes very well with chapatti in particular. However, it can be served as a side dish with rice too. 

• 3-4 raw bananas, boiled whole
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• pinch of asafoetida
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp. cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1 tsp. lime juice 
• 2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Discard the skin from the boiled banana and mash it. Keep aside. Heat oil in a pan and temper with cumin seeds. 

          Sauté for a few seconds and add the asafoetida, followed by the onion, ginger and garlic. Stir fry till light brown. 

          Now add the mashed raw banana and all the dry spices. Mix everything well and stir fry on a medium flame for 2-3 minutes.

          When done, add the lime juice and coriander leaves. Give it a stir and serve as a side dish with either rice or chapattis.