FRIED PLANTAINS - VAZHAKKAI FRY

     Vazhakkai or Plantain(Raw Banana) is a common vegetable used in South Indian Cuisine.  Plantains/Vazhakkai are commonly cooked as Simple Fries, Chips, Podimas, Poriyal/Stir-fry, Kootus, Mezhukkupuratti, Kootucurry, Erissery or added into Curries.  There are even recipes like Vazhakkai Dosai and Cutlets prepared with Plantains.  Least to mention one of the popular evening Tea time snack Vazhakkai Bhajji(Plantain Slices dipped in a Batter and then Deep fried) a common Indian Street Food found in South India.
     Cooked plantains are nutritionally very similar to a Potatoes calorie-wise, but contain more Vitamins and Minerals. They are a rich source of fibre, Vitamins A, C, and B-6, and Minerals like Magnesium and Potassium are also found in Plantains.
     I have tried quite a number of variations to get perfectly Fried Plantains - Vazhakkai Fry and this method turn out to be the best out of all.  This recipe is a simple one and can be prepared within minutes, all the more they turn out to be crispy and tasty.  Plantains are cut into thin rounds and left in salted water for few minutes and then they are deep fried in hot oil.  Deep fried Plantains are then transferred to a pan and tossed with Salt and Spice Powders.  Then these fried plantains are cooked on a very low flame till they turn into golden brown colour and crispy.
     This Fried Plantains - Vazhakkai Fry is a simple recipe which goes along with Rice and Sambar/Rasam/any curry of your choice.  Pairs well with Thayir Sadham(Curd/Yoghurt Rice) 
    

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Course - Side dish
Spice Level - Moderate
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 4
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 5 -10 Minutes
Soaking Time - 8-10 Minutes
Cooking Time - 5 - 10 Minutes

INGREDIENTS :

Plantains -  3 Nos.
Salt - To Taste
Oil - To Deep Fry.

Spice Powders :

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Tspn
Red Chilli Powder - 1 Tspn
Asafoetida - a Pinch
Kitchen King Masala - 1/4 Tspn(Optional)

HOW TO MAKE FRIED PLANTAINS - VAZHAKKAI FRY

FRIED PLANTAINS - VAZHAKKAI FRY

METHOD :

• Wash, Peel the Plantain and Cut them into thin round slices.
• Soak the Plantain Slices in salted water for 8-10 Minutes.
• Drain the soaked water and line up the Plantain slices on a clean kitchen towel.
• Heat Oil in a deep pan and deep fry the Plantain Slices until they turn crispy.
• Remove the Fried Plantains from oil and transfer them into another Pan.
• Sprinkle Salt and Spice Powders over the Fried Plantains and cook on a very low flame until the fried plantains turn crispier and the spice powders are well coated to each slice.
• Leave the pan on a low flame and stir occasionally until the Fried Plantains turn crispier and turn into golden brown in colour.
• Serve Fried Plantains - Vazhakkai Fry with Rice and any Curry, Sambar or Rasam.
• Pairs well with Variety Rice dishes like Coconut Rice, Lemon Rice, Puliyodharai, Paruppu Sadham, Tomato Rice, Rice Kichdi etc.,
• But the best combination is with simple Rice and Curd or Thayir Sadham.

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NOTES :

• Select fresh and firm green Plantains for the recipe.
• Cut them into thin even slices to yield crispy Fried Plantains. 
• While cooking the deep-fried plantains with spices in a pan, there is no need to add oil.
• Alternatively, can marinate the Plantain Slices with Salt and Spice Powders and slow cook on a low flame until they turn crispy and golden brown in colour.
• Can temper the Plantain Fries with Mustard Seeds, Urad Dhal and Curry Leaves, if preferred.
• Adding Kitchen King Masala is purely optional.
• Adjust the amount of spice powders to suit your taste and preference.