Morkolumbu or buttermilk gravy is compulsorily included in the South Indian platter.The same dish is made in a

different way in North India known as the “Kadhi’.

Summer calls for dishes like this as curd is the main ingredient in this dish.This dish is made with single vegetables,

lotus seeds,fried pakoras…..the list has no full stop .This type of gravy served with a few crisps is like comfort food,

low on spice and a good for your stomach.

Today my recipe variation to this dish is with the inclusion of banana flower fritters.In fact it’s going to be a two in

one recipe… fritter recipe and a buttermilk gravy recipe.

The process of removing the matchstick shaped ‘pistil'(have to be removed or it will infest with its bitterness)and the

outer petal(calyx)is very tedious, as you have to remove these from each floret.

Once cleaned you have to immerse them in buttermilk for a minimum of 20 minutes and then wash well.

You could clean them in your free time, to save on the cooking time.

Firstly to a few health points…1.As banana flowers are light on the digestive system,they are good to relieve abdominal

pain and bloating .

2.They prevent infections.

3.Due to its rich iron content it helps to increase the haemoglobin levels.

4.Good for lactating mothers.

5.They play a vital role in women health.(related to ovarian disorders)

Now to the recipe..

For the fritters

Ingredients

Banana blossoms 100-150 gm (cleaned -check above for description of cleaning )

1/2 cup gram flour

2 tbsp rice flour

1 tsp all purpose flour

1 tsp chilli powder

1/2 tsp cumin seed powder

a pinch of asafoetida

salt to taste

oil to fry

Method

Mix all the ingredients together (no need to add water)except oil .

Heat oil, and drop in the coated blossoms and fry till crisp.

Allow to drain .

For the gravy

Ingredients

2 tbsp tuvar dal (soaked for minimum 20 minutes

2 tbsp coconut

3-4 dry chillies (soaked with dal)

1 tsp cumin seeds (soaked with dal)

1 cup thick curd beaten

1/4 tsp turmeric

salt to taste

For tempering

1 tbsp oil (from the oil you fried the fritters)or you can use ghee

1/2 tsp mustard

a pinch of asafoetida

2 dry chillies

few curry leaves

1-2 cups water (adjust to the consistency you like )

Method

First grind the soaked tuvar dal, chillies ,coconut,cummin seeds to a paste and set aside.

Heat oil, and add the ingredients,listed for tempering.Add the ground paste with salt and sauce for 2 minutes.

Next add the curd and water and allow a boil.

Add the fried fritters and remove from fire.

Serve with rice!