My Diary: Oct 7, 2010

Difference between Plantain(வாழைக்காய் ) and Banana(வாழைப்பழம் )

I had to write about this since it created a discussion between me and my friend Suraj, I said raw banana is the same as plantain. But he said both are different. When i searched the net , i found that i was Wrong. I had been ignorant on this for the past 23 years :-(

Many people confuse plantains with bananas, some of the differences are noted above. Although they look a lot like green bananas and are a close relative, plantains are very different. They are starchy, not sweet, and they are used as a vegetable in many recipes, especially in Latin America and Africa. Plantains are sold in the fresh produce section of the supermarket, they usually resemble green bananas; ripe plantains may be black in color. Plantains are longer than bananas and they have thicker skins. They also have natural brown spots and rough areas.

http://www.grabemsnacks.com/what-is-a-plantain.html#pb

Vazhakkai/Plantain (வாழைக்காய் ) Fry (வறுவல் )

வாழைக்காய் வறுவல்

Ingredients
PLantains(வாழக்காய் )-2
Chilli powder-2 tsp
Coriander pwder-2 tsp
Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil for frying

Procedure:
1.Peel the skin of the plantains and cut into medium rounds(1/4 inch approx ) Boil water in a pan add the pieces and cook for 5 to 10 mins. The plantains(வாழைக்காய்) should not be over cooked..

The Plantains

The chopped Plantains

2.Mix chilli powder, coriander powder and salt in a bowl and make a paste by adding water ( the paste should be thinner than the bhajji consistency)

3.Dip the cooked plantains pieces into the paste. On a heated tawa add 1 tsp of oil and arrange the pieces.

Drizzle oil on the sides and when the veg turns golden brown flip them and cook them until it is brown on the other side.

Serve hot with sambar and rice.

I followed Prema Sundar's recipe and did this dish. It turned out to be delicious.

Wilbur

A friend of mine asked me to look at a few videos by Wilbur Sargunaraj(http://www.wilbur.asia/) on you tube!!!

After viewing his videos, I became a fan of wilbur!!

His masterpieces- please check my blog, Mummy daddy i want a love marriage, ordering a burger are my favourites

He has got amazing talent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Watermarking your photographs

When you publish your photographs online, it is important that you hold copyright of it to avoid misuse.
I found this free and open source software called PhotoScape http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/index.php pretty useful.