Raw Banana Masala Chips

Ingredients

• Raw Banana/Aratikaya/ Vazhaikai – ½ kg
• Dry red chillies – 6-8
• Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
• Pepper powder to taste, optional
• Asafoetida a pinch, optional
• Curry leaves – 4 sprigs
• Salt to taste
• Oil for deep frying

Preparation method

1. Cut the raw banana into thin round slices.
2. Grind the dry red chillies, turmeric powder, asafoetida and salt to a smooth paste.
3.  Apply the paste over the raw banana slices. Ensure it has been coated well on all the slices.
4. Sun dry for a while so that the moisture goes off quickly, so that the absorption of oil will be less during deep fry.(This step can be skipped)
5. Let it be for half an hour.
6. Heat oil in a deep frying pan and fry curry leaves crisp with the stem & keep it in aside.
7. Put the slices in the hot oil.
8. Fry till it has become golden brown and drain from the oil.
9. Keep it in a kitchen towel so that the excess oil is absorbed.
10. Remove the stem from the curry leaves and spread on the fried chips.
11. Sprinkle pepper powder at this stage if needed.
12. Store it in air-tight containers once it has been cooled.