Vazhakai Fry/ Raw Banana Tawa Fry (Air fry option included)

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Vazhakai fry/ Raw Banana Tawa Fry is a South Indian side dish to have with rice. Let’s see how to make this easy vegan, gluten-free side dish.

Vazhakai fry

Raw Banana is used in South Indian cuisine in various forms. They use to make bhaji, kootu, poriyal. This tawa fry is most loved in my family than the other. So when I buy raw banana either I make this fry or bhaji. This is so easy that you can make this under 30 minutes. In this method, I pre-cook raw banana for 2 to 3 minutes before frying. You can avoid this step and do the frying directly.

Health benefits of Raw banana

Raw banana is full of nutrients and supposed to be good for Diabetes. They are rich in fiber and helps in constipation. (Source – here)

How to make Vazhakai fry/ Vazhakai varuval

The first step is to peel the raw banana. If it is a big one, cut into half and then to thin strips. Do not make it too thin as it can get burnt fast. Boil water with turmeric powder and add sliced raw bananas in it and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain the water. Mix all the spice powders in a bowl and apply it to the half-cooked raw banana. 

Heat oil in a wide pan. Crackle mustard seeds and add curry leaves. Then place the masala coated raw banana in the pan. Do not overlap. Cook in medium flame till it turns a golden color. Flip and cook again. Serve with Rice. Best tastes with rice, paruppu podi and rasam combination.

A short video to make Vazhakai Varuval

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Can I air fry raw banana fry?

Yes, You can air fry. Preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 325 Deg F. Brush oil the masala coated raw banana. Air fry it for 20 minutes flipping halfway through. 

Note: Air fry time may differ with different air fryers.

Other side dishes for you

Aloo Kangmet – This dish needs just 4 basic ingredients. Alu Kangmet is a potato dish made with mashed potatoes. Alu /Aloo means Potato.

Potato podimas – This Potato podimas is the recipe from my mom–in–law. This is such an easy recipe that you need just 15 minutes to make from the start to your plate.

Bitter Gourd stir fry – Bitter Gourd Stir fry is one of the healthiest Indian side dishes you can make. It’s easy, healthy yet delicious too. I give you the method to reduce the bitterness of the bitter gourd. 

Stuffed Okra – When you want to try something different from the same Okra dishes, then try this stuffed Okra. This goes well with any rice or even roti.

Recipe to make Vazhakai varuval

Ingredients

Raw Banana – 1

Ginger garlic paste – ½ tsp

Red Chili powder – 1 Tsp

Coriander powder – 1 Tsp

Garam Masala – ¼ Tsp

Salt – As required

Mustard seeds – ¼ tsp

Oil – 1 Tbsp

Curry leaves – few

Water – 2 cups

Turmeric powder – ½ Tsp

Method

• Peel the skin of the raw banana.
• Cut into half and then into thin slices. You can also do the roundels.
• Boil 2 cups of water in a bowl with turmeric powder.
• Add the sliced raw banana and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove from the flame and drain the water.
• In a bowl, take ginger garlic paste, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt.
• Make it a paste. Add a tsp of water if needed.
• Apply it to a half-cooked raw banana.
• Heat oil in a wide pan. Add mustard seeds.
• When it splatters, add curry leaves.
• Add the masala-coated raw banana. Do not overlap.
• Cook on medium flame till it turns golden. Flip and cook again.
• Serve with rice.

Notes

1. You can adjust the red chili powder to your spice level.
2. Use coconut oil for the best taste.
3. You can also skip the pre-cook part and just directly coat the raw banana and fry it. 

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