Arati puvvuu paatoli- Banana Flower & Lentil Curry

Ingredients

1 small cup Pacchi senagapappu/chanadal
1 small cup kandhi pappu/toordal
5to 6 Endumirapakayalu/red chilly
1/2 tsp jeelakarra/jeera
1/2 tsp heeng/inguva
salt to taste
1/4 cup oil
1 medium size banana flower

Preparation
Soak dals for 2 hours
Peel banana flower and remove buds
From each bud remove the transparent petals and thick headed strings and throw them away
Peel the banana flower as shown in picture
Cut all the flower buds in to small pieces.
Chop the remaining flower in to small pieces
In a bowl put these chopped pieces and add turmeric powder and water
Grind soaked dals , redchillis, jeera, heeng and salt without adding water.
Sqeeze water from flower and pressure cook them for 4 whistles.
Heat oil in a pan and if you want add popu/tadka
Add grinded batter and stir
When the batter is half cooked add cooked flower and stir.
Fry them until it becomes dry

This curry goes with white rice, ghee and ullipaya pulusu.
Banana flower is good for health.It helps in getting rid of kidney stones.

This dish is bit tedious to prepare but the taste is well worth the effort. I suggest you to cook this atleast once a month as it's good for health.