Vazhaipoo Paruppu Usili Recipe (Banana Flower Paruppu Usili)
Vazhaipoo Paruppu Usili is a traditional South Indian dish that combines steamed crumbled lentils with sautéed banana flower, also known as vazhaipoo. This dish is not only delicious but also packed with protein, making it a perfect side dish for a healthy meal. The toor dal (split pigeon peas) and banana flower are both cooked separately and then combined to create a flavorful, textured dish that is both savory and satisfying. Often served with steamed rice, rasam, or sambar, Vazhaipoo Paruppu Usili adds a distinctive, aromatic touch to any meal.
Cuisine: South Indian
Course: Side Dish
Diet: High-Protein Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Main Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Banana flower (Vazhaipoo) | 1, peeled from its stem |
| Water | 3 cups |
| Curd (Dahi / Yogurt) | 1/4 cup |
| Sesame (Gingelly) Oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Turmeric powder (Haldi) | 1/2 teaspoon |
Ingredients to be Ground:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Arhar dal (Split Toor Dal) | 1 cup, soaked for 3-4 hours |
| Dry Red Chillies | 2 |
| Turmeric powder (Haldi) | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | To taste |
| Water | 1/4 cup |
For Seasoning:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Sesame (Gingelly) Oil | 2 teaspoons |
| Curry leaves | 2 sprigs |
| Mustard seeds (Rai/ Kadugu) | 1/4 teaspoon |
| SSP Asafoetida (Hing) | 1/2 teaspoon |
| White Urad Dal (Split) | 1 teaspoon |
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 4-6
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Toor Dal Mixture
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Soak the Toor Dal: Begin by soaking the toor dal (split pigeon peas) in water for 3 to 4 hours. Once the dal is soaked and softened, drain the excess water.
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Grind the Dal: In a food processor, add the soaked toor dal along with a small amount of water, salt to taste, dried red chillies, and turmeric powder. You can adjust the quantity of dried red chillies depending on your preferred spice level. Grind the mixture into a smooth paste. For a more textured Paruppu Usili, grind the dal a little coarser.
Step 2: Steaming the Toor Dal Mixture
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Prepare the Steamer: Grease steamer or idli plates with a little oil. Spoon the ground toor dal mixture into the plates.
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Steam the Dal: Place the filled plates into the steamer and steam on high heat for about 10 minutes. Once steamed, turn off the heat and allow the dal to cool slightly. Once cooled, crumble the steamed dal and set it aside.
Step 3: Preparing the Banana Flower
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Clean the Banana Flower: Clean the banana flower (vazhaipoo) and soak it in a mixture of water and curd for about 10 minutes. This helps in removing any bitterness. After soaking, drain the water and chop the banana flower finely.
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Cook the Banana Flower: Heat 1 teaspoon of sesame oil in a frying pan. Add the chopped banana flower, turmeric powder, and salt. Cover and cook the banana flower on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes until it softens. Once cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside.
Step 4: Seasoning and Combining the Ingredients
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Prepare the Seasoning: In the same pan, add some more sesame oil. Once the oil heats up, add mustard seeds and split urad dal. Sauté until the urad dal turns golden brown in color.
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Add Asafoetida and Curry Leaves: To the pan, add asafoetida and curry leaves. Stir well to combine.
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Combine Steamed Dal: Break the steamed toor dal cakes into small pieces and add them to the pan. Stir fry for 5 to 8 minutes, allowing the dal to crumble and absorb the seasoning flavors.
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Add the Banana Flower: Finally, add the sautéed banana flower (vazhaipoo) to the pan and stir everything together. Mix well to combine the dal and banana flower, and adjust the salt as needed.
Step 5: Serving
- Serve: Transfer the Vazhaipoo Paruppu Usili to a serving dish and serve hot. This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice, Sundakkai Vathal Kuzhambu, and crispy Elai Vadam for a complete South Indian meal.
Tips for the Perfect Vazhaipoo Paruppu Usili:
- Toor Dal Texture: The texture of the toor dal can be adjusted based on personal preference. For a smoother consistency, blend the dal finely. For a more textured dish, grind it coarsely.
- Spiciness: Adjust the number of dried red chillies according to your preferred spice level. You can also add fresh green chillies to the ground dal for additional heat.
- Banana Flower Preparation: Banana flowers are naturally bitter, so soaking them in curd and water helps neutralize the bitterness. If you prefer, you can blanch the banana flower in hot water for a few minutes to reduce the bitterness further.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: Approximately 150-200 kcal
- Protein: 8-10g
- Fat: 8g (mainly from sesame oil)
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sodium: Variable (based on added salt)
Vazhaipoo Paruppu Usili is a rich source of protein, making it a great vegetarian option for those looking to increase their protein intake. The combination of toor dal and banana flower makes this dish not only nutritious but also full of flavor, perfect for accompanying any South Indian meal.
