Banana chips/wafers

                                                                                 

Banana chips are my most favorite snack since childhood.Though we get readymade banana chips in indian stores in US ,i am little skeptical about the oil used by them for frying.I always wanted to try this recipe at home since a long time but was not possible as the special kind of surti banana used to make these chips are hard to find in indian stores here.

Surti raw bananas have a hard, green peel, and a slightly yellowish flesh inside.They are thicker than normal raw bananas, and longer as well.The peel too is thick and needs to be cut using a knife or peeler.They are also called as kerala banana or Nendran banana.This weekend when i had visited indian store i could luckily find some of these bananas.If you make chips with banana which have just begun to ripe,it will give little sweet taste to wafers.I borrowed this recipe from my aai and i am very much happy with the end result.

          Ingredients

• 2 Surti banana(unripe)
• Coconut oil for frying
• 1-2 tsp Salt
• 4-5 tablepoons water

         (Serves 2-3)

         Method of preparation

• Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan on a slow flame.
• Apply some oil to your hands before cleaning the banana
• Cut both the edges of banana and make light vertical slits on the raw banana peels while taking care not to slit the raw banana.
• Remove the banana peel using your fingers.
• Mix 2 tsp of salt with 4-5 tbsp of water in a bowl and mix well till the salt dissolves completely and keep it aside.
• Slice half the raw banana using a slicer directly into the hot oil.
• If this step looks difficult for some, then they can slice the banana on a plate and they fry them taking care not to stick the pieces together while frying.
• Allow the banana slices to cook for a while and then add 1 tsp of salt-water mixture to the oil.Be careful while doing this as there is spluttering of oil during this step.
• Continue cooking the chips on a medium flame till they turn crisp from both the sides and the spluttering sound of oil-water stops,while stirring occasionally. Remove the banana chips from the oil and drain the excess oil.
• Repeat the same procedure to fry remaining banana chips. 
• Cool completely and serve or store in an air-tight container.

          Note

• I have used coconut oil for frying as it's more healthy and tasty,you can opt for other varities of cooking oil as per your choice.
• Use good slicer to make this banana slices, as thinner the slices more crispier the chips.
• This variety of banana gives natural yellow color after frying so no need to add turmeric powder to the salt water.
• If you want chips to be more spicy you can sprinkle some chilli powder or pepper powder as per your choice after frying.

          
          Happy frying !

Banana Smoothie...

Banana smoothie

A deliciously healthy way to start the day is by banana smoothie. Banana smoothie makes excellent breakfasts or mid-day snacks since bananas blend so well with other flavors.

Although we eat a lot of bananas in the house, it seems like there are always a couple that ripen way faster than we can consume them.

I like ripe bananas for making smoothie, when they start turning black, as they begin to lose their appeal.

Although ayurveda doesn’t recommend consuming milk and fruit together. It’s ok to have this combination once in a blue moon.

        Ingredients

• 1 frozen ripe banana, cut into chunks
• 1 cup whole milk (cold)
• 1 – 2 tablespoons sugar/ Honey
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Water (as per requirement)

        (Serves 2)

        Method of preparation

• Initially blend only  banana chunks by  adding very little water to make fine paste.
• Then into the banana paste add remaining ingredients.
• Blend all ingredients until it reaches your desired consistency. Pour the smoothie into a glass. Drink it with a straw or straight from the cup.Drink immediately.

      Note

• I prefer adding cold milk rather than ice cubes to maintain the thick consistency. It’s a personal choice.
• Some avoid adding sugar or honey as banana is sweet enough to taste.It’s again a personal choice

       

        Happy Blending !