How long does Vazhaipoo Usili take?

1 hour 7 minutes from start to finish. That is 25 minutes of preparation and 42 minutes of cooking.

How many people does Vazhaipoo Usili serve?

4. The ingredient quantities on this page rescale if you are cooking for a different number.

Is Vazhaipoo Usili vegetarian?

Yes. No meat, no fish and no egg.

Is Vazhaipoo Usili spicy?

It is mild: 1 on our scale of 3. Chilli scales gently when you change the servings, so doubling the recipe does not double the heat.

What do I need to make Vazhaipoo Usili?

1 medium (about 400 g) Banana Flower, ½ cup Chana Dal, ½ cup Toor Dal, 6 grams Dry Red Chilli, 0.5 grams Asafoetida, 2 grams Curry leaves, and a few more listed on this page.

Do I need a pressure cooker for Vazhaipoo Usili?

No, it is cooked in an open pot.

How many calories are in Vazhaipoo Usili?

About 286 a serving. The full nutrition table is on this page, per serving and for the whole batch.

Vazhaipoo UsiliCook

Vazhaipoo Usili

Name: Vazhaipoo Usili
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 42 min
Total time: 1 h 7 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indian, Tamil Nadu
Ingredients: ½ cup Chana Dal, For Soaking; ½ cup Toor Dal, For Soaking; 500 ml Water, For Soaking; 500 ml Water, For Rinsing; 6 grams Dry Red Chilli; 0.5 grams Asafoetida; ¾ tsp Salt; 500 ml Water, For Steaming; 2 tbsp Oil; 1 tsp Mustard Seeds; 1 tsp Urad Dal (split); 2 grams Curry leaves; 1 medium (about 400 g) Banana Flower; ½ tsp Salt; 120 ml Water, For Cooking; 1 tbsp Oil

67 min
mild
Serves 4

Prep 25 min · Cook 42 min

Start cooking

7 steps, one at a time. Big words for every step, and a timer where a step waits.

Also known as vazha poo usili, vazhaipoo paruppu usili, banana flower usili · Veg · Dal, Dry sides

Dal Dry sides Vegan Dairy-free Jain

Vazhaipoo usili, a Tamil Nadu dry side of banana flower with steamed, crumbled chana and toor dal. Mild, vegetarian, serves 4, about 65 minutes plus soaking.

Low calorie

Good for: Tamil New Year, Onam

Ingredients

14 items

4 people

Chana Dal, For Soaking½ cup
Toor Dal, For Soaking½ cup
Water, For Soaking500 ml
Water, For Rinsing500 ml
Dry Red Chilli6 grams
Asafoetida0.5 grams
Salt1¼ tsp
Water, For Steaming500 ml
Oil3 tbsp
Mustard Seeds1 tsp
Urad Dal (split)1 tsp
Curry leaves2 grams
Banana Flower1 medium (about 400 g)
Water, For Cooking120 ml

Contains: wheat.

Nutrition

Per 1 person, and for all 4 people. Worked out from the ingredients, so treat it as a close guide.

Nutrient	Per 1 person	All 4 people
Energy	286kcal	1144kcal
Protein	11g	44g
Carbohydrate	30g	121g
Fat	14g	56g
Fibre	7.6g	30g
Sugar	0.2g	0.8g

Method

1
Soak the chana dal and toor dal together in 500 ml water for 1 hour. Drain them well after soaking.
Chana DalToor DalWater
2
Remove the dark outer bracts until the tender florets remain. Pull out the hard stamen and papery petal from each floret. Chop the tender flower finely, rinse it in 500 ml water, and keep it submerged until needed. Rinse the curry leaves.
Water
3
Grind the soaked dals, dry red chillies, asafoetida and salt in a mixie without adding water. Keep the mixture coarse and do not make a smooth paste.
Dry Red ChilliAsafoetidaSalt
4
Pour 500 ml water into a steamer and heat it on high for 4 to 5 minutes until steam rises. Spread the dal mixture on an idli plate and steam it on medium heat for 10 minutes until firm and cooked through. Cool it for 5 minutes and crumble it.
Water
5
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a kadai on medium heat for 1 minute until hot. Add mustard seeds, urad dal and curry leaves, and fry for 1 to 2 minutes until the mustard seeds splutter and the dal turns light golden.
OilMustard SeedsUrad Dal (split)Curry leaves
6
Drain the banana flower well. Add it to the kadai with salt and 120 ml water. Cover and cook on medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring twice, until the flower is soft and the water has dried.
Banana FlowerSaltWater
7
Add 1 tablespoon oil and the crumbled steamed dal, and mix gently. Cook uncovered on low heat for 5 to 7 minutes until the dal is dry and lightly roasted.
Oil

Before you start

How long does Vazhaipoo Usili take?: 1 hour 7 minutes from start to finish. That is 25 minutes of preparation and 42 minutes of cooking.
How many people does Vazhaipoo Usili serve?: 4. The ingredient quantities on this page rescale if you are cooking for a different number.
Is Vazhaipoo Usili vegetarian?: Yes. No meat, no fish and no egg.
Is Vazhaipoo Usili spicy?: It is mild: 1 on our scale of 3. Chilli scales gently when you change the servings, so doubling the recipe does not double the heat.
What do I need to make Vazhaipoo Usili?: 1 medium (about 400 g) Banana Flower, ½ cup Chana Dal, ½ cup Toor Dal, 6 grams Dry Red Chilli, 0.5 grams Asafoetida, 2 grams Curry leaves, and a few more listed on this page.
Do I need a pressure cooker for Vazhaipoo Usili?: No, it is cooked in an open pot.
How many calories are in Vazhaipoo Usili?: About 286 a serving. The full nutrition table is on this page, per serving and for the whole batch.

Tips from other cooks

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