Banana -Almond Halwa.

Banana -Almond Halwa is a sweet dish and it is one of the rich and tasty halva. Ripe bananas, jaggery and almonds are used here.

We had some (around 8 to 10 ) ripe bananas and I though of preparing halva with those ripe bananas. ( My Sister Sujatha"s House from ooru/Udupi). Udupi Banana Hava is very famous and it is such a delicious halva one can fall love with that halva. Nendra banana is used to prepare that special Halva.
Here I have used Yalakki banana and are very tasty once they are ripen.

Let us see the recipe Now :
Things Needed:
Banana : 6 to 8
Almond : 1 Cup
Jaggery : 3/4 Cup
Ghee : 1/2 Cup
Cardamom : 3 to 4 Pods

Method :
1. Remove banana skin and smash banana nicely. Keep it aside.
2. Powder cardamom and keep it aside.
3. Powder almonds and (with its skin) keep it aside.
4. Keep a pan on the fire and put smashed bananas. Add a spoon of ghee and mix it well.
5. Stir nicely and add jaggery. Keep on stirring. (It should not burnt at the bottom of the pan).
6. It turns as full liquid. Add a spoon of ghee and mix it.
7. Slowly add ground almonds and cardamom powder. Keep stirring.
8. Add ghee in between and mix it well.
9. Stir in between till it leaves the sides. Mix it for another 5 minutes. Ghee starts to oozes (comes out).
10. It turns as one whole ball. Remove from the pan and put it on a ghee spread plate/tray.

11. Let it cool nicely.

12. Cut according to your wish and serve or store.

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Note :
Use of sugar instead of jaggery is optional. Use of ghee more/less is optional. Remember banana fruits must be well ripen to prepare halva or it taste bit savoury. Whole procedure should be on low flame. Do not add any water. I have used organic jaggery. If you are using normal shop bought jaggery, keep a pan add jaggery and very little water to it. It starts to melt. Let it melt completely. Sieve this jaggery content and then use it. (To remove the dust particles).
Time : 30 Minutes. 
Serves : 30 pieces can be made.(According to size and shape).

Tomato Chutney

Tomato Chutney is a side dish and it is an easy dish to prepare and yummy to have.
I have used Tomatoes. urid dal, red chilly and coconut.

Let us see some benefits of having tomatoes in our diet. 
Tomatoes are an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin K. They are rich with copper, potassium, manganese, dietary fiber and Vitamin B6 and phosphorus. Tomatoes help to improve our eye sight, good for stomach health and helps to reduce the blood pressure. They are also good for diabetes and urinary tract infections. They help to increase the digestion, stimulate blood circulation and reduce the cholesterol levels. They are rich with antioxidants and helps to detoxify the body.
Let us see the recipe now :
No Onion or No Garlic is added to Tomato Chutney. It goes well with idli, dosa, chapatis, rotis and even plain rice (Hot) with a spoonful of home made ghee.

Things Needed:

Tomato : 2
Red chilly : 4 to 5
Urd Daal : 1 Tablespoon
Coconut Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Ingh /Asafoetida : A pinch
Coconut ( Fresh ) : 1/2 Cup (or 3 to 4 Tablespoons ( grated)

Salt :According to taste.
Curry leaves : 4 to 6
Water : As required
Tamarind : Very little

Method:

1. Wash and cut tomatoes in to small pieces.
2. Wash and keep curry leaves aside.
3. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
4. Keep a small pan on the fire and heat. Add oil and urid dal and red chilly.
5. Fry till they turn golden brown.
6. Add cut tomatoes and fry them nicely till they turn soft.

7. Add curry leaves and ingh fry with tomatoes. Put off the fire. Let it cool.
8. Add coconut, tamarind and salt.
9. Grind it with required water till it turns into paste. (According to your wish).

10. Remove from the mixi jar and shift it to a serving bowl.

11. Add mustard seasoning with curry leaves and ingh.
12. Serve with any main dish you have prepared. We had Tomato Chutney with Hot plain rice.

Note :

You can boil tomatoes instead of frying. Use of coconut oil is optional. ( You can use any cooking oil of your choice). Adding more/less chilly is optional. Use of garlic or onion is optional. Adding mustard seasoning is optional. I have not added.
Time 10 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3 .