Last week,I was tempted at my local farm store and picked up two banana flowers to cook an age old traditional Telugu recipe.The process was painstaking but the result - Delicious!

Also check out some more links on how to use flowers in various recipes below this.

Banana Flower Koora – Andhra Style

Ingredients:

Banana Flower – 2

Turmeric Powder - 1tsp

Salt - 1tsp

Fenugreek Seeds – 1 tsp

Bengal Gram – 2 tsps

Black Gram – 2 tsp

Mustard Seeds - 1/2tsp

Hing - pinch

Ginger - Small Piece grated

Curry Leaves – Few

Dry red chilllies – 2

Salt to Taste

Tamarind – small ball or 2 tsps

Oil - 5tsps

Basic Preparations:

Peel the leaf like things on the banana flower and find stems attached to the leaves. Take the stems and discard the leaves. Take each stem and observe carefully. There will be a flat think stalk with a small disc on top in the center. Remove by plucking. It is best to smear your hands with a little oil. As you go on plucking the leaves the size of the banana flower will become smaller and smaller. At this stage it will be difficult to remove the leaves. So chop that portion finely and add to the florets.

Method

Take banana florets into a processor bowl and add turmeric powder and salt. Run the processor and chop them finely. Add the chopped banana florets to a bowl of water and wash them. Change water and wash the florets thoroughly for 5 to 6 times. You need to wash them thoroughly and multiple times to remove the bitterness.

Heat a pan and add oil to it. When oil is hot add the fenugreek seeds, Bengal gram followed by black gram. Fry till the seeds start changing color. Then add mustard seeds and hing.Fry till the seeds splutter. Then add curry leaves. Add the blended banana florets, and tamarind pulp. Mix well and cook covered on low flame for one minute.

Transfer the curry to a serving bowl and serve hot 

Enjoy !!!!!!!!!

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http://www.saveur.com/gallery/floral-cocktails/?image=3

When your guests ask what's for dinner, you can say marigolds, primroses and violets. Just as the use of fresh herbs has come back into fashion and has proven to be more than a passing fad: edible flowers are all the rage.

http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/fresh-flowers-in-food-taste-blooming-delicious.html

http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/42-flowers-you-can-eat.html

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food/food-reviews/Power-petal-Cooking-with-flowers/articleshow/30896002.cms

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