Monday 28 July 2014

Banana Stem Stir Fry with Lentils | Vazhai Thandu Paruppu Usili


Vazhai Thandu Paruppu usili is a popular stir fry dish from the south Indian cuisine made of banana stem and lentils.  It is an excellent side dish to rasam or sambar and plain hot rice.  Paruppu usili is made using other veggies too like beans, banana flower, cabbage, cluster beans.

Banana stem is cooked in different ways both in South Indian and Bengali cooking.  Some of the popular dishes are vazhaithandu kootu, vazhaithandu poriyal, vazhaithandu poritha kuzhambu, Thor Chenchki (in Bengal), etc.

As banana stem is a rich source of fibre and vitamins and helps in weight loss too, it is a good idea to make it a part of our weekly menu.


vazhai thandu paruppu usili


Sunday 27 July 2014

Vankaya Pulla Kura | Tangy Eggplant Curry | Vankaya Pullagura


Vankaya Pullagura/pullakoora is a spicy and tangy Andhra dish.  The words "Pulla Kura" in telugu means tangy curry.  This is very easy to prepare as you add almost all the ingredients at one go in your pressure pan and cook them and temper with spices at the end.  I have used brinjals to prepare this pullagura, but you can prepare it using other veggies too like beerakaya (ridge gourd), dondakaya (tindora or ivy gourd), bendakaya (ladiesfinger) and even greens.


vankaya pulla kura, vankaya pullagura