VAZHAIPOO VADAI...

Ingredients

Bengal gram dhal 1/4 cup

Red gram dhal (Thuvaram Paruppu) 1/4 cup
Vazhaipoo (Banana blossom) 1/2 cup
Onion 1
Green chillies 2
Coriander 3 tbsp
Salt
Oil for deep frying

Procedure

Peel the first few layers from the blossom and discard it. Now from the inside layers pull out the white stamen and discard this too. 

Cut the blossom finely and soak it immediately in Water. This is done to avoid discoloration.Now drain all the liquid out and steam cook it on stove top.

Soak both the Dhals in water for 1 hour.Drain it fully and grind it with no water or minimum water, very coarsely. I would say grind it in short pulses not continuously.

To this mixture add finely cut chillies, chopped onions, cut coriander, salt, cooked banana blossom or vazhaipoo

Make small vadai or patties and deep fry in hot oil till golden brown

Serve hot. Goes well with Chilly/ Tomato Sauce and also with Pudina Chutney

NANDU SAANDHU KUZHAMBU CRAB CURRY.........

Cleaning

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp lemon juice

Ingredients

500gms Crab(4 Crabs atleast)

1 cm cinnamon stick,1 clove,1 cardamom and 1 bay leaf - crushed
1 Whole garlic finely chopped

1 tbsp refined oil
 few coriander leaves
 few curry leaves

Ground coconut milk
 water
 1 tsp salt
 Finely Ground Masala

(1 medium sized onion,

1 medium sized tomato, garlic cloves,

2 red chillies,1 inch size ginger piece,

1/2 tsp fennel seeds,1/4 tsp cumin seeds)  

Procedure

Clean the crabs(little removing the shells) with turmeric powder,salt and lemon juice.

Finely grind red chillies,ginger,garlic,cumin seeds and fennel seeds in a mixer-grinder adding 50 ml water and add onion and tomato last and grind it into a smooth paste.keep it aside.

Heat oil in a pressure pan,add 1 cm cinnamon stick,1 clove,1 cardamom and 1 bay leaf-crushed and curry leaves .Stir-fry this for 30 secs.
Add the ground masala(without adding water) and 1 tsp any good curry masala.Stir it well.Cook it for 4 mins till oil begins to leave the masala on good flame

Add the cleaned crabs,300ml water,chopped coriander leaves,salt and stir it well.Cover the pressure pan with a lid and cook upto 10 -12 more mins(without whistle) till done or becomes a thick on good flame.

All coconut milk to make it a thick  gravy and cook for some time adding more curry leaves for flavor.

Enjoy it with rice. Also tastes great with bread slices or with Indian Breads.