Kerala Banana Fritters ( Pazham Pori )

 Pazham pori /Plantain fritters is made out of a special variety of plantain called "Nendrapazham" which is highly nutritious and  good source of  potassium and vitamins A & C. Ethakappam has been the popular and the favorite snack of keralites. The plantain slices dipped in sweetened flour and then deep fried in oil.This snack is common street item in Kerala and one of the fastest and hot selling snacks in trains.This snack is often fried in most of the homes and relished by all along with a cup of steaming tea or coffee. It's also a very tasty, fast and easy to make. 

Ingredients

Ripe Nendran bananas                          -2 (peeled)

Water                                                – ½ cup

Maida (all-purpose flour)                      – 3/4cup

Rice Flour                                            – ¼ cup

Sugar                                                  – 2tbsp

Cardamom powder                                – ½ tsp

Yellow color                                         – 1 drop

bicarbonate of soda                               A pinch of   

 Refined vegetable oil                           – for Deep fry

Method

•  Cut each banana into 3 pieces, lengthwise.
• Make a thick batter with both the flours and ½ cup water. Add sugar, yellow color and bicarbonate of soda.
•  Dip the banana slices in the batter and deep fry in hot oil till golden brown.
•  Drain off the excess oil and serve hot. 

Carrot Halwa

Ingredients:

Big Carrots                          4 – 6 nos

Half and Half milk–               ½ liter (Very thick milk)

Sugar -                               2 cups

Ghee –                                5 tbsp

Nuts –                                  ½ cup

Green cardamom powder      – ½ tsp

Saffron -                             2 pinches

Orange color -                       2 drops

Method:

• Wash,. peel and grate the carrots.
• Sauté grated carrots in ghee for 5 minutes.
• Add half and half milk, saffron, cardamom powder and cook it in the pressure cooker for 3 whistles.
• Take out the carrot from pressure cooker and smash it well.If required add milk to control consistency.
• Cook it in the medium flame.
• Cook until the milk evaporates and carrots are cooked. Add sugar, color and cook for two to three minutes or till sugar melts and mixes well. Stir continuously. Garnish with nuts.
• If you want to serve hot, sprinkle 1 tsp of ghee over it. And if you want to serve cold serve with one scoop of vanilla ice-cream.