Baked Banana flower(Vazhaipoo) vadai

I love vadai and hate vazhaipoo. So, the right thing to do is to make vazhaipoo vadai. And if it is healthy, what else you need from a snack? Ta da! Here is a recipe for Baked Vazhaipoo vadai. A simple and easy recipe which is healthy and at the same time doesn't compromise on the taste. Most of the time, if you say that a dish is healthy, you would surely have to compromise on taste. But, this is different. You have taste and you can take care of your health.

Here comes the recipe for Baked Vazhaipoo Vadai (Banana Blossom), a healthy twist on the traditional deep fried version.

Ingredients:

Vazhaipoo / Banana blossom - 1 - Cleaned

Chana dhal - 1 small cup - Soaked for 2 hrs

Onion - finely chopped - 1 cup

Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tsp

Cilantro/Coriander leaves - a handful

Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp

Cumin powder- 1 tsp

Coriander Powder - 2 tsp

Green chilies- 1 finely chopped

Red chilies - 3

Turmeric powder - a pinch

Salt - to taste 

Oil - 1-1/2 tbsp

Method:

Preheat the oven to 400 F/200 C. 

Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil and spray with oil. 

Either steam the cleaned banana blossom until soft or you can cook them in  boiling water for 2 to 3 min.

Grind the soaked channa dhal in a blender with red chilies,  fennel seeds,cumin and coriander powder, turmeric powder and salt. 

Do not add water and grind it to a coarse mixture.

Add the cooled banana blossom to the  blender and pulse until everything is combined. 

Transfer the mixture to a big mixing bowl and add the onion, green chilli, garlic, chopped cilantro and oil. Mix well. 

Take a tablespoon or two size mixture and make balls.

Place over the foil and flatten it. 

Place all the balls with 1 inch gap between them.

Bake in oven for 30 to 40 mins, flipping once in between.