banana fritters
Banana fritters or bajji is popular in Kerala. These fritters are also made from raw banana or plantain but here I have used ripe bananas or ‘pake hue kele’. Some people use rice flour to make kele ke pakore but I have used besan instead. What I feel is cooking is all about experimenting with ingredients and methods and make what suits your palate.
Recipe of banana fritters
1/2 kg ripe banana (kele) - chopped lengthwise into 4 pieces
1 cup besan (gram flour/ chickpea flour)
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
Oil to deep fry
1. Mix together besan, salt, red chilli powder and baking powder. Add water little by little, mixing with other hand to form smooth, thick, lump free batter. Beat well.
2. Heat oil in a kadhai/ wok. Dip the banana pieces in the batter and deep fry 3-4 pieces at a time.
3. Fry till golden brown from both sides. Drain banana fritters on an absorbent paper. Serve hot.
banana peel sabzi
Banana peel sabzi or kele ke chilkon ki sabzi is mommy dearest’s recipe. Whenever I feel like cooking this sabzi, we eat the banana and collect its peel in a plate. When there are 3-4 peels collected, its time to turn it into subzi. Please note this recipe uses peel of ripe banana. This subzi is very nutritious and good source of dietary fiber.
Recipe of banana peel sabzi
3-4 peels (chilke) of ripe banana
1/2 tsp carom seeds (ajwain)
A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp amchoor (dried mango powder)
1 tbsp oil
1. Trim the ends of banana peels. Chop them into 1/2 - 1 inch pieces.
2. Boil 2 cups of water in a pan and add pieces of kele ke chilke or banana peel. Boil for 2 minutes. Drain.
3. Heat oil in a pan or a wok. Add ajwain and when it splutters, add hing. Add peel pieces. Add salt, turmeric and coriander powders. Mix well and lower heat. Cook till done, stirring occasionally. Increase heat and roast till subzi becomes dry and crisp.
4. Add amchoor and mix well. Serve hot with phulkas.
Banana shake
Banana milk shake or kela shake is a smooth, creamy and tasty beverage. If you use whole milk and add cream of milk (malai) at the top, it can be had as a rich dessert but personally I prefer low fat milk.
Recipe of banana milk shake
2 ripe bananas (kela)
2 cups milk
4 tsp sugar
4 drops vanilla essence
1. Peel and chop bananas into pieces.
2. Blend bananas, milk and sugar in a blender till smooth.
3. Add vanilla essence. Add crushed ice to serve.
