Banana Psuedostem curry and stir fry

Banana pseudo stem is rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants and potassium. It is anti inflammatory. Eases digestion. The high content of vitamin B6 helps in the production of haemoglobin and insulin. The juice is healthy to drink in empty stomach and preparing rasam a digestive drink after a heavy meal.

Pseudo stem stir fry 

Cut the pseudo stem into thin circular pieces and remove the extra fibre coming out of each cut.

Chop the circles finely.

Heat a tbsp. of  coconut oil in shallow pan, drop in mustard seeds, allow to crackle, add dried chilli, followed by chopped onion and garlic. Sauté till tender, add the chopped pseudo stem, 1/3 tsp turmeric powder and 1/2 tsp. chilli powder, required salt and  mix well. Close with a lid and allow to cook in low flame for 5 minutes. Open the lid, add 1/2 tsp. cumin powder and half cup of grated coconut. Combine well. Serve with hot rice.

Pseudo stem tamarind curry 

Cut the pseudo stem into half inch thick circles. Remove excess fibre. Stack the circles and cut into small pieces. 

Heat a tbsp. of coconut oil in a shallow wok, drop in mustard seeds, allow to crackle, drop in broken dried chilli , followed by chopped shallots, green chilli and garlic cloves. Mix well and sauté till tender, add the pseudo stem, cook for five minutes. Take a gooseberry size tamarind, soak it in two cups of water. Drain the juice. Add 1/4 tsp. turmeric, 1 tsp. chilli, 11/2 tsp. coriander , 1/3 tsp. asafoetida and a pinch of fenugreek powders into the tamarind juice. When the pseudo stem is cooked add the spicy tamarind juice into the wok. Allow to boil. The curry is ready. Serve with rice.

You can add curry leaves in both the dishes. Due to lockdown it is not in my pantry.