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A simple and flavorful South Indian stir-fry featuring tender raw bananas tossed in a freshly ground, aromatic spice powder. This traditional Karnataka dish is a perfect side for rice and sambar, ready in under 30 minutes.
For 4 servings
Prepare the Bananas (5 minutes)
Make the Spice Powder (Podi) (5 minutes)
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A simple and flavorful South Indian stir-fry featuring tender raw bananas tossed in a freshly ground, aromatic spice powder. This traditional Karnataka dish is a perfect side for rice and sambar, ready in under 30 minutes.
This south_indian recipe takes 30 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 195.48 calories per serving with 3.29g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner or side.
Cook the Bananas (8-10 minutes)
Combine and Finish (2 minutes)
Garnish and Serve
Sauté one finely chopped onion after the tempering until translucent, then proceed with adding the bananas.
Add 1 teaspoon of coriander seeds and 1/2 teaspoon of cumin seeds while dry roasting the spices for a different flavor profile.
Add 2-3 cloves of crushed garlic along with the curry leaves during tempering for a pungent aroma.
Raw bananas are an excellent source of dietary fiber and resistant starch, which aids digestion, promotes gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria, and helps in managing blood sugar levels.
This dish is rich in potassium from the bananas, an essential mineral that helps regulate blood pressure, maintain fluid balance, and support proper nerve function.
The inclusion of chana dal and urad dal in the spice powder provides a good amount of plant-based protein, which is crucial for muscle repair and overall body function.
One serving of Balekai Podi contains approximately 185-200 calories, depending on the size of the bananas and the amount of oil used. It's a relatively light and nutritious side dish.
Yes, Balekai Podi is a healthy dish. Raw bananas are a great source of dietary fiber, resistant starch, and potassium, which are beneficial for gut health and blood pressure management. The lentils in the podi add plant-based protein.
No, this recipe specifically requires firm, green, raw bananas (also known as plantains). Ripe, yellow bananas are sweet and have a soft texture that will turn mushy when cooked, which is not suitable for this stir-fry.
The key is to immerse the chopped banana pieces in a bowl of water immediately after cutting them. This prevents oxidation. For extra effectiveness, you can add a pinch of salt or a teaspoon of lemon juice to the water.
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water or in a microwave before serving.
Absolutely! It's a great time-saver. You can prepare a larger batch of the podi and store it in a dry, airtight container at room temperature for up to a month. Use as needed for this and other stir-fries.