Banana Stem Sambar (Gabbya Sambar)

Banana Stem Sambar / Gabbya Sambar is a delicious dish made with Banana stem (Gabbo in Konkani) and goes well with rice.

The following ingredients are needed to prepare Banana Stem Sambar / Gabbya Sambar.

Ingredients:-

Banana stem.        - a small piece
Toor dal.               - 3/4 cup
Turmeric powder. -1/4tsp
Salt.                       - to taste

For grinding Sambar Masala  :-

Urad dal.             -1 and 1/2 tsp
Dry Red chillies. - 5
Coriander seeds. -2 tsp
Methi seeds.        - 1/4 tsp
Black Pepper.      - 8 corns
Cumin seeds.       -1/2 tsp
Tamarind.             - a gooseberry size
Grated Coconut.    -1 cup

For seasoning:-

Coconut oil.     -1tsp
Mustard seeds. -1tsp
Curry leaves.    -1spring
Hing powder.    -1tsp

Instructions:-

1). Wash and chop Banana stem into thin round pieces. Remove the fibre and chop into very small pieces and keep aside.

2). Wash and pressure cook Toor dal adding 1 and 1/2 cup of water for 2 whistles and keep aside.

3). Heat a pan and dry roast Coriander seeds and keep aside. In the same pan add Urad dal and dry Red chillies and roast well. When Urad dal change its colour to golden brown add Methi seeds and Pepper corn in the same pan. Saute well for a minute on low flame. Switch off the flame. Allow all the above dry roasted ingredients to cool.

4). Grind grated Coconut along with Tamarind and all the dry roasted ingredients to a smooth paste adding very little water. Keep aside the ground Sambar Masala.

Method:-

1). In a cooking vessel add the chopped Banana stem and 1cup of water. Add required Salt and Turmeric powder and mix well with Banana stem pieces. Boil and cook the Banana stem on low flame.

2). Add the cooked Toor dal into the cooking vessel and mix with the cooked Banana stem and boil for 2 minutes on low flame.

3). Add the ground Sambar Masala paste into the cooking vessel and mix with the cooked Toor dal and Banana stem.Boil and cook for 3 minutes on low flame and switch off the flame.

4). Heat Coconut oil in a pan for seasoning and splutter Mustard seeds and Cumin seeds and saute well. Add Curry leaves and fry for a second. Add Hing powder and saute well. Switch off the flame.

5). Pour the above seasoning into the Banana Stem Sambar in the cooking vessel and mix well.

6). Transfer the Banana Stem Sambar / Gabbya Sambar to a serving bowl.

A delicious Banana Stem Sambar/ Gabbya Sambar is ready to serve with rice.