Vazhakoombu-Parippu (Banana Flower-Toor Dal) Thoran

Ingredients:

1 large vazhakoombu / banana flower, finely chopped

1/3 cup toor dal / thuvara parippu

1/2-3/4 cup grated coconut

2 garlic cloves

a pinch of cumin seeds

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

2-3 green chillies

2 dry red chillies

1 sprig curry leaves

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

salt to taste

1 tbsp oil

Preparation:

1. Apply little oil in your hand and remove the outer hard layers of vazhakoombu/ banana flower until you find the pale coloured edible part and chop it finely and soak in water for 15 minutes.
2. Crush grated coconut, garlic, cumin seeds and 1/4 tsp turmeric powder together and keep it aside.
3. Wash the dal and cook in a pan adding salt and enough water till cooked and keep it aside.
4. Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds. Add dry red chillies and curry leaves.
5. Add chopped onion, green chillies, chopped vazhakoombu, chilli powder, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and salt and cook covered on low flame.
6. Add cooked dal to this and mix well for a minute.
7. Add in the crushed mixture, stir well and cook for few minutes till all the water dries up...Remove from flame and serve with rice..