Plantain with Garlic and Mustard Seeds

Aratikaya Avala Velluli Karam.

Plantain is chopped into circles and fried in little oil till light golden in color. They can also be chopped thick and boiled in water till just soft. A ground masala is made with garlic cloves and mustard seeds. This masala is added to the fried plantain and briefly cooked. Serve this plantain fry with plain steamed rice.
Makes: around 2 Servings of Plantain with Garlic and Mustard Seeds.

Ingredients:

Plantains 2 Medium
Garlic 3 Cloves
Mustard Seeds 1/2 tsp
Red Chile Powder 1/2 – 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder a big pinch
Salt to taste
Oil 1 tbsp

Method of preparation:

Remove ends, remove thick skin and slice the plantain into thin circles.
Soak the chopped plantain circles in water until necessary.
Peel and roughly chop garlic cloves.
First, grind garlic into fine paste using a spice blender.
Then add mustard seeds, red chile powder and salt.
Grind everything into fine paste and remove onto plate.

Heat oil in a pan on medium high heat, add plantain circles.
Fry plantain circles till they turn light golden in color.
Stir occasionally and cook covered for couple of minutes if plantain is not cooking properly.
Then lower the heat, stir in ground garlic and mustard seeds paste and turmeric powder.
Add a splash of water if the paste is too thick and stir to let the masala stick to the plantains.
Remove from heat and serve plantain with mustard seeds and garlic over plain steamed rice and dollop of ghee.
Notes: Make sure plantain is cooked right.

Suggestions: If the plantain is not cooking properly, add a splash or two of water and cook covered on low flame till done.
Variations: You can also add finely chopped cilantro to the masala if you wish. Seasoning with mustard seeds and cumin seeds can also be done at the beginning.
Other Names: Plantain with Garlic and Mustard Seeds, Aratikaya Avala Velluli Karam.