Kudappan Thoran - Stir-fried Banana Flower with Coconut
Ingredients of Kudappan Thoran
Serves: 4
500 gms banana flower
1 tbsp + 1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
2 tsp parboiled rice
2 shallots, chopped
1 stalk curry leaves
1 tsp salt
Ground to a coarse paste:
½ medium-sized, fresh coconut, grated
2 shallots, chopped
6 dry red chillies, torn into pieces
A pinch of cumin seeds
½ tsp turmeric powder
Method of Preparation of Kudappan Thoran
Remove and discard all the outer petals of banana flower till the white inner petal is seen.
Chop very fine and mix in 1 tbsp oil. Knead gently till it loses its stickiness and becomes soft.
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and sprinkle in mustard seeds and rice. When mustard seeds start sputtering, add shallots and curry leaves, and fry till shallots turn brown.
Stir in coconut paste and salt, and fry, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.
Add banana flower. Mix well and press down well with a spatula. Cover pan and cook over low heat for 10 minutes.
Open pan and stir-fry for 5 minutes longer.
Variation: The core of the banana trunk chopped fine can also be cooked in this manner.
