Banana Palya

Name: Banana Palya
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: south_indian
Ingredients: 3 pcs raw banana (medium, peeled and cubed); 500 ml water (for boiling); 0.5 tsp salt; 1 tbsp oil; 0.5 tsp mustard seeds; 0.5 tsp urad dal; 0.5 tsp chana dal; 2 pcs dried red chili (broken); 8 pcs curry leaves; 1 pcs green chili (slit); 1 pinch turmeric powder; 1 pinch asafoetida; 3 tbsp coconut (fresh, grated); 1 tbsp lemon juice; 2 tbsp cilantro (chopped)

RATING

4.4/5(68)

TASTE SCORE

7/10

A simple Karnataka-style stir-fry made with raw banana, tempered spices, and fresh coconut. It turns soft inside with lightly crisp edges, making it a comforting side dish for rasam rice, sambar, or chapati.

PREP

15m

COOK

20m

SERVES

1 KATORI

146 cal

SERVINGS

METHOD · 6 STEPS

prep · ~5 min
Peel and cut the raw banana.
Peel the raw banana and cut it into small even cubes so they cook quickly and evenly.
TIPKeep the cubes similar in size so the palya stays evenly cooked.
boil · ~10 min
Boil the banana until just tender.
1.Add the raw banana cubes, water, and half of the salt to a pan.
2.Bring to a boil over medium heat.
3.Cook until the banana is just tender but still holds its shape, about 8 to 10 minutes.
4.Drain any remaining water and keep the banana aside.
TIPDo not overcook the banana or it will turn mushy in the pan.
temper · ~2 min
Make the tempering.
1.Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2.Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
3.Add urad dal and chana dal and cook until lightly golden.
4.Add dried red chili, curry leaves, green chili, turmeric powder, and asafoetida.
TIPKeep the heat medium so the dals turn golden without burning the spices.
saute · ~5 min
Toss the banana with the spices.
Add the boiled banana and the remaining salt. Mix gently so the cubes stay whole, then cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the edges look lightly crisp and the tempering coats everything well.
garnish · ~1 min
Finish with coconut, lemon juice, and cilantro.
Turn off the heat and add grated coconut, lemon juice, and cilantro. Mix gently once more.
serve
Serve the banana palya hot.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Drop the peeled banana cubes into water while cutting so they do not darken before boiling.
2
Boil only until a knife slips in with slight resistance; overcooked banana will crumble during tossing.
3
Drain the boiled cubes well and let them steam off for a minute so the palya can crisp at the edges.
4
Wait for the mustard seeds to fully splutter before adding the dals, or the tempering will taste flat.
5
Stir gently with a flat spatula in the final sauté to keep the cubes intact.
6
Add coconut and lemon only after switching off the heat so the coconut stays fresh and the lemon stays bright.
7
Leftovers reheat best in a skillet, not the microwave, to bring back the lightly crisp edges.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Adapt it for your goals.

no onion no garlic

No-onion-no-garlic

This recipe is already naturally free of onion and garlic, making it a good satvik-style side with simple, clean flavours.

spicier

Spicier

Add one extra green chili or another dried red chili if you want a sharper, more assertive heat for rice meals.

no coconut

No-coconut

Skip the grated coconut for a lighter finish; the palya will be less sweet and pair especially well with rasam rice.

jaggery touch

Jaggery-touch

Add a small pinch of jaggery at the end for a classic sweet-salty-spicy balance that complements the raw banana.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Why this is on our healthy list.

✓

Fiber-Rich Vegetable Side

Raw banana makes this palya a satisfying side dish with natural fiber that pairs well with everyday rice and dal meals.

✓

Balanced Fats and Freshness

A small amount of oil carries the spice tempering, while fresh coconut adds richness and lemon brings a fresh, bright finish.

✓

Digestive Spice Support

Curry leaves, asafoetida, mustard seeds, and dals are traditional tempering ingredients that add aroma and make the dish feel lighter alongside hearty meals.

QUESTIONS?