"Cooking Isn't Rocket science" : Ethakka Appam/ Pazham pori / Plantain Fritters

Pazham Pori with Hot Chaya/Tea is a big hit in Kerala. Am not sure if there is any other state in India where these Plantain's/Ethaika are grown , though we get'em in any Malayali/Kerala store in other states.

There are other places in the World , where Plantains are fried , the Mexicans fry these and has it with Rice and sour cream , had seen an episode in Food Network once , I was amazed how Plantains goes with white rice likewise people in other countries might wonder how we eat Plantains chips with Rice :) Hence these Plantain are always found in Mexican store's in US.

For those who are not sure the difference between plantains and Banana , as that's a frequently asked question , found a Blog where the difference between the two are clearly stated.

There's no much ingredients for a plantain fritter's as they are good as it is but its usually fried in a batter made with All purpose flour + sugar + a pinch of turmeric Powder(for color) + a pinch of Baking Soda and some salt.

The guilt that its a "Fried" snack forces me to fortify this dish with many unnecessary but nutritious ingredients.

Substituting all purpose flour with wheat flour as my hubby's Granny does is a good idea , should try once , it tastes even better.

Ingredients

Plantain's - Ripe one's are the best , 2 big no's

Wheat Flour - 1/4 cup

Rice flour - 2 table spoon (Optional)

All Purpose Flour - 1 table spoon

Egg - 1 no (Optional or else make batter with water or milk)

Sugar - 3 table spoon or more according to your preference

Baking soda - a pinch (optional)

salt - a pinch

Turmeric Powder - a pinch (optional)

Flax seed Powder - 3 table spoon ( OPTIONAL / NO NEED - that's the only way I can finish the flax seed powder which we buy when we try to become fitness freaks at times ;)

Oil for frying - (coconut oil is used traditionally)

Method

* Slice the banana's first cut in to half and then slice length wise in to 2 or 3 pieces (mine is always thin, some prefers it to be thick, to get that big plantain bite)

* Make a batter with all the other ingredients , add water to make it loose , but thick enough to coat the plantain's slices when dipped. adjust adding flour if the batter seems more watery.