Banana Fry | Aratikaya Fry
Recipe: https://recipestripper.com/recipes/62a854fc-86c7-4333-bc7a-53f7369133b9
Original source: https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/raw-banana-fry-recipe-vazhakkai-fry/
Recipe image: https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/vazhakkai-fry-recipe-1.jpg

Banana Fry or Aratikaya Fry is a mildly spiced and slightly crispy South Indian style banana preparation made with unripe bananas or plantains, spices and herbs
Yield: 2
Prep time: PT5M
Cook time: PT25M
Total time: PT30M

Ingredients
- 300 grams unripe banana (sliced or 4 small to medium-sized raw unripe plantains or aratikaya)
- 2 tablespoon oil
- ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds
- 6 to 7 curry leaves
- 1 pinch asafoetida ((hing))
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- salt as required
- 1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves

Instructions
1. [peeling and slicing aratikaya (unripe bananas)] Rinse 4 small to medium sized raw unripe bananas first (300 grams). Peel them lightly. I usually remove the black spots and keep the peels as they are.
2. [peeling and slicing aratikaya (unripe bananas)] Slice them in thin rounds and add them in a bowl containing water + a bit of salt (about 1/4 tsp salt), so that they don't darken.
3. [making aratikaya fry] Before you start frying the spices, drain all the water from the raw bananas and set them aside.
4. [making aratikaya fry] Heat 2 tbsp oil in a shallow frying pan. Keep the flame to a low or medium and add ½ tsp mustard seeds. Saute till the mustard seeds crackle.
5. [making aratikaya fry] Then add 6 to 7 curry leaves and a pinch of asafoetida. Stir.
6. [making aratikaya fry] Now take the bananas from the water and add them.
7. [making aratikaya fry] Mix the bananas with the rest of the tempered ingredients.
8. [making aratikaya fry] Add 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder and 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder.
9. [making aratikaya fry] Mix the spice powders very well with the banana slices.
10. [making aratikaya fry] Spread the banana slices evenly on the pan, so that they get cooked evenly.
11. [making aratikaya fry] Don't cover with any lid and saute the bananas on a low flame.
12. [making aratikaya fry] Do stir at intervals for even cooking. Turn slices and cook the sides which look uncooked or not roasted or crisp.
13. [making aratikaya fry] Cook till the slices become crisp towards the edges. Not all slices will become crisp, but most of them will be.
14. [making aratikaya fry] When the banana slices are cooked, sprinkle salt according to taste. Stir and mix well.
15. [making aratikaya fry] Add 1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves. Mix well. For a slight tang, you can add some lemon juice at this step.
16. [making aratikaya fry] Serve aratikaya fry hot or warm with sambar-rice or rasam-rice or dal-rice very well. You can also have them plain or with chapatis.
17. [making aratikaya fry] This dish can also be packed in lunch box with a side of paratha or chapati.