Kaya Ollathu (Sautéd Green Banana) by DICE

Ingredients

• 2 Medium sized clean green bananas
• 2 Cloves of finely chopped fresh garlic
• ½ A small onion chopped
• ½ tsp Chilli powder
• ¾ tsp Chilli flakes
• ½ tsp Turmeric
• 1 Sprig of curry leaves
• 2 tbsp Coconut oil
• Salt to taste

Preparation

1. Keep the skin on the bananas and chop into 1cm cubes.

2. Put the chopped banana in a bowl, sprinkle over salt to taste and about 2 to 3 tbsps of water. 

3. Now, as a cheat, mix well, cover with a plate and microwave the green banana for 2 minutes on high. This will majorly reduce your time toiling over the stove.

4. Meanwhile, heat the coconut oil in a pan on medium high heat.

5. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until translucent.

6. Add the chilli flakes, the chilli powder and the turmeric. 

7. Sauté until the spices smell cooked.

8. Add the semi cooked green banana to the onion chilli mixture and stir in. 

9. Cover with a lid and reduce the heat to medium low until the banana is cooked through. 

10. Remove the lid, increase the heat slightly and reduce any liquid in the pan until some of the banana starts to break down. 

11. Add the curry leaves and stir in until wilted.

12. Enjoy!

Tip: This is a dish we Keralites eat as an accompaniment to boiled rice and probably a couple of other additions. (Fried fish being a favorite!)