There is a story that goes something like this:

Ramanujan's genius appeared when he was just learning arithmetic. A teacher explaining division said, "If three bananas were given to three boys, each boy would get one banana. If 100 bananas were given to 100 boys, each boy would get one banana." Then the teacher said that this worked for all numbers. Ramanujan astutely asked, "Sir, if no banana is distributed to no student, will everyone still get a banana?" Put another way, the teacher had explained that any number divided by itself is one. So, asks Ramanujan, does that mean zero divided by zero is one?

Food for thought alright ! So while we bask in his genius, we also share some fun recipes of this amazing fruit.

Kele Ke Kebab: Version 1

 6 raw bananas
2 tbsp roasted chana powder (used to make idli chutney)
6 green chilies chopped
1 tsp ginger chopped
2 tsp chopped coriander
Salt to taste
1 lemon
½ tsp white pepper
1 tsp roasted cumin powder
16 lollipop sticks
10 ml oil

Method
Boil raw bananas till tender. Cool and peel. Grate and mash till smooth texture, Sauté chopped ginger and green chilies in hot oil. Add banana mixture and sauté till the bananas are cooked properly. Add salt and white pepper. After the bananas are cooked, add roasted cumin powder, lemon juice and chopped coriander to finish. Cool the mixture and add roasted chana powder. Divide into small equal sized balls. Put the above mixture on lollipop sticks and shape the mixture into lollipops. Shallow fry till golden brown.

Kele Ke Kabab Version 2

Ingredients
5 raw bananas
1 tsp ginger chopped
1 tsp green chillie chopped
½ tsp cumin whole
½ tsp roasted cumin powder
2 tbsp butter
1/3 tsp cardamom powder

For filling’
2 tsp grapes chopped
½ tsp ginger chopped
½ tsp grteen chillie chopped
½ tsp roasted cumin powder
salt to taste
oil for frying

Method

Boil the bananas till tender. Cool and peel. Grate and mash the banana to a smooth mixture. Heat butter, add whole cumin and allow to crackle. Add chopped green chilli and ginger and sauté. Add the mashed banana and cook till dry. Add roasted cumin powder and cardamom powder. Divide into medium size balls and leave aside.
Mix all the filling ingredients together. Fill a little into each ball and shape them into rounds. Flatten like a tikki. Do this to all the mixture and deep fry in hot oil. Serve with the chutney of your choice.

 Kachhe kele ke kofte – K4

Ingredients
For kofta

6 raw bananas
2 sweet potatoes
6 green chillie
1tsp ginger chopped
1 tsp roasted cumin powder
salt to taste
oil to fry

For the gravy
3 tbsp mustard oil/corn oil
4 tsp coriander powder
1tsp turmeric powder
1tsp red chilli powder
½ tsp cumin. Whole
3 tsp ginger paste
3 tbsp melon seed paste
½ tsp garam masala powder
1 tsp roasted cumin powder
salt to taste
sugar to taste
2 tsp clarified butter ( ghee)
2 tbsp beaten curd
water as required

 Method
For Kofta

Boil raw bananas and sweet potatoes together. Cool and peel. Grate them and add chopped green chilies, chopped ginger, roasted cumin powder and salt. Mix well to make a homogeneous mixture. Divide into equal proportions. Apply oil on palms and shape small balls of this mixture. Heat oil and fry these golden brown

 For Gravy
Heat oil till hot and add whole cumin, ginger paste and sauté. In a bowl mix red chilli powder, coriander powder and turmeric powder in a little water. Add this mixture. Cook till the oil separates. Add the beaten curd. Add melon seed paste. Adjust seasoning with sugar and salt. Add the deep fried koftas to this gravy and garnish with roasted cumin powder, garam masala and top it with a little ghee.

 
And at last a dessert……

Banana Coconut Parfait

 Ingredients

 5 ripe bananas
juice of 2 lemons
5 egg yolks
¼ cup sugar
2 tbsp coconut cream
4 tbsp whipped cream
2 tbsp fresh coconut

 Method
Slice the bananas and soak in lemon juice. In a double broiler beat the egg yolks and sugar. Remove once the whisk starts to leave a mark on the mixture. Beat cocnut and whipped cream together.  Fold the whisked yolks and cream into the whipped cream mixture. Add in the fresh grated coconut. In a glass alternately place the sliced bananas and the coconut parfait in layers. Decorate with sliced bananas and fresh fruit.

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