Friday 30 April 2010

Vaazhaikai bajji/ arati kaya bjjilu/ Raw plantain fritters


In Madurai, at around 4'O clock in the evening, every small tea shop and hotels will have this snack. They serve it with coconut chutney. Vaazhaikai bajji and coconut chutney- a super yum combo !!!. I personally love this bajji than any other bajji preparation. The soft meat of raw plantain covered with a crispy outer coat of batter will keep anybody longing for more and when it is served with coconut chutney- hmmmmmm I have no words to describe it. I love the smell of raw plantain. If you are  a person who love the smell of raw plantain and its taste this recipe is for you.

Ingredients :

Raw plantain (Indian variety)- 2 nos
Bengal gram flour (kadalai maavu, chenaga pindi)- 11/2 cup
Rice flour (arisi maavu, biyappindi)- 1/4 cup
Baking soda- 1/2 tspn (optional)
Asafoetida- 1/4 tspn
Chilli powder- 2 tspn (adjust according to your taste)
Salt to taste 
Oil for deep frying

Method :

Take bengal gram flour, rice flour, asafoetida powder, red chilli powder and salt in a vessel and mix together. Now add enogh water to make a batter similar in consistency to dosa batter. Cut raw plantains as shown in the picture into a thin stripe (no need to remove the skin...I love them with skin intact as it is more flavourful but its your wish). Heat oil in a pan. When the oil is hot enough immerse the individual plantain stripes in batter so that it is coated evenly with batter. Then drop them in hot oil and fry until they acquire a golden brown colour. Yummy, yummy snack will be ready. 

Taste enhancing tips for this recipe: Take care that the batter is coated well on the plantain stripes.Do not make the batter too thick or too watery. It should have a consistency of dosa batter or a little thicker.  Include asafoetida. Bajji and asafoetida are inseperable :). Happy cooking !!! and have a beautiful weekend!!!

19 comments:

  1. Manju,

    Bajii looks yummy. Wish i had some for my tea

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  2. Looks crisp and perfect !

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  3. Vazhaikkai bajji and the anecdote made me nostalgic. That 4 'o' clock tea and bajji....superb thought dear. I too love this vazhaikai bajji than any other bajji:) Yours look awesome. You have a beautiful blog with lovely thoughts and nice posts. Happy blogging!

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  4. Manju,,Perfect vazhakkai bajji paaa enakku inga echil ooruthu..winter evening bajji saapdanum poelave irukku..bajji with coconut chutney perfect combo dear..

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  5. My all time favourite fritters, feel like having some..yumm!

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  6. Perfect snack at tea time, crispy and delicious..

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  7. manju really dear this one is my favorite too.one of our favo evening snack made by amma..really nostagic snacks..looks delicious..if u don't mind just parcel it ok

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  8. Bajji looks yummy....wud b great if tea/coffee is also served :)

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  9. Bajji looks so tasty. Looks like some envelope covering plantain inside.

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  10. Bajji looks so tempting Manju.

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  11. Miss those fun of having chai and vazhaikai bajji with company of friends...4 O clock light tiffin- heaven.:)

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  12. iiiiiiiiiiii

    pajii...

    madam ennaukuthan pajii pidikathey..

    please BOONDAA EPPDI CIRATHUNU CHOLITHANGA..

    BLOG SO NICE..USE FULL

    V.V.S
    COMPLAN SURYA

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  13. hey konjam parcel panni anupariya enakku :)

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  14. Looks so yummy and very crispy dear...

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  15. Tempting Bajji!! I liked the crispy bajji that you have presented.

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  16. perfect tasty snack ... just love it..thanks for sharing..

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  17. Thank you friends for your kind comments :)

    Welcome Surya, Sridevi and Jyothi :)

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  18. Manju, how do u cut them length wise ? i always endup with circle ones and to c it actually doesn't look like plantain bajji :-( Care to share the tip with me ???
    - Viji

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  19. Viji I did it with a knife no special instrument. If I find something I will let you know :)

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