Banana Stem Stir Fry

The stem of the banana plant is highly nutritious and is widely used in variety of recipes in South India. Today we are going to learn how it is used to prepare a dry stir fry sabji. First I will explain how the banana stem is cleaned for cooking and then the cooking process itself.

INGREDIENTS :

(1) 1 Banana Stem piece.

(2) 1 tablespoon of curd or 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.

(3) 3/4 teaspoon of Mustard seeds / Rai.

(4) 1 teaspoon of Urad dal

(5) 1 teaspoon of Chana dal

(6) Half teaspoon of Cumin seeds / Jeera

(7) 2 small Onions, finely chopped

(8) 1 medium sized Tomato, finely chopped

(9) 2 green chillies, finely chopped

(10) 1 spring of Curry leaves

(11) Chopped Coriander leaves for garnishing

Banana Stem

All ingredients set aside

Chopped veggies

How to clean Banana stem for cooking:

For novice cooks, it is advised to lay old newspapers on the kitchen platform before starting to cut this vegetable. Wear an apron as this leaves stains that cannot be removed.

After we cut the stem into small pieces, immerse the cut pieces in water to which 1 spoon of curd is mixed or 1 spoon of lemon juice is mixed. This is done to prevent the  changes in colour of the cut banana stem pieces due to oxidation.

Take a wide bowl and fill it with water. Add few spoons of curd or lemon juice into this and mix and keep aside.

Banana stem has two types of layers. A hard inner layer which is edible and a porous outer layer which has to be discarded. Make a slit on the outer layer and remove it. Sometimes, you may have to discard two to three layers until you reach the hard and firm inner layer. Check out the steps in the video.

Now you have a cylindrical inner stem which you can chop into very small pieces and put them all into the curd or lemon water as shown in the image and video.

I have taken the video in three parts. As I myself was learning from my mother how to clean the banana stem, the first video clip shows her cleaning and cutting the banana stem. The second and third video clips shows me following the same process. 

Chopped banana stem immersed in lemon water

The banana stem is peeled and chopped and ready for cooking.

METHOD :

(1) Drain this curd or lemon water and in a utensil take water and put the finely chopped banana stem into it and add a teaspoon of salt. Cook the chopped banana stem until al dente.

(2) Heat 4 tablespoons of cooking oil in a kadhai / wok.

(3) Add 3/4 teaspoon of Mustard seeds / Rai to the warm oil.

(4) After 4 seconds, add 1 teaspoon of Chana dal and 1 teaspoon of Urad dal to the warm oil.

(5) After 4 seconds, add half teaspoon of Cumin seeds / Jeera to the warm oil.

(6) Once the Mustard seeds splutter and the rest of the ingredients change colour, add Curry leaves.

(7) Add chopped green chillies and finely chopped Onion. Sauté.

(8) Once the Onion becomes golden brown in colour, add chopped Tomato. Sauté for 3 minutes.

(9) Add half teaspoon of Turmeric powder. Mix well.

(10) Add the cooked banana stem pieces to the onion tomato mixture. You can add the remaining water from the cooking of banana stem to this mixture.

Mix well.

(11) Stir fry for  8 - 10 minutes till all the water dries up and the banana stem is slightly roasted.

(12) Turn off the gas flame and sprinkle chopped Coriander leaves over the stir fry.

(13) Our Banana Stem Stir Fry is ready. 

(14) Transfer it to a serving bowl.

(15) Again garnish with chopped Coriander leaves.