KADALI MANJA RAI | BANANA STEM CURRY IN MUSTARD PASTE | BANANA STEM RAI | KADALI MANJA BESARA

MANJA means banana stem and RAI means mustard paste. Since this delicious recipe is made from the banana stem and mustard paste, it's popularly known as 'MANJA RAI' in Odisha. It is a typical Odia dish prepared in every household of Odisha.

Banana tree is such an useful tree, where most of the parts are used for cooking. After cutting the banana yield, the tree is used to be cut down. Then the tender core of the stem is taken out, which is called as Manja.

Banana stem or Manja is good for health and rich source of Fibre, Vitamin B6, Potassium which helps in the production of Insulin and Hemoglobin. It's very beneficial for those on a Weight-Loss program. It keeps High Blood Pressure in control. It is a good diuretic and helps to detoxify the body. It has cooling effect. The popular belief is that eating Banana Stem is very good for Kidney Stones.

So below is the method of preparation of this delicious Manja Rai or Banana stem curry with mustard paste.

INGREDIENTS:

• Kadali Manja (Banana Stem) - 6-8 inch long
• Potato - 1 no.
• Colocasia (arbi) - 1 no.
• Brinjal - 1 no.
• Mustard oil - 2 tablespoons
• Panch phoron - 1 teaspoon 
• Green Chilly - 2 nos.
• Dry Red Chilly - 1 no
• Curry leaves - 1 spring
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon + 1 tablespoon
• Badi (Sun dried lentil dumpling) - 8-10 nos.
• Grated coconut - 2 tablespoons
• Coriander leaves - Handful (chopped)
• Salt - As per taste
• Water - As needed

For Mustard Paste:

• Mustard seeds - 2 tablespoon (soaked in water for 15-20 minutes)
• Cumin seeds - 2 tablespoon
• Dry Red Chilly - 2 nos.
• Garlic Cloves - 5 nos.
• Tomato - 1no., chopped

PREPARATION :-

1. To begin with, wash the banana stem (Manja) cleanly. Cut the stem into thin round slices. 
2. While cutting slices, thin threds will come out which can be taken out by gently moving one finger circularly in between each slice and main stem.
3. Chop each slices into small pieces and put them in a mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon salt and turmeric powder, mix and keep aside for 20-25 minutes. Next by the help of hands, squeeze the excess water from the chopped stem cubes.
4. In the meantime, make a fine paste of cumin seeds, mustard seeds, red chillies, green chilli, garlic cloves, tomato and little water.
5. Peel colocasia (arbi) and potato and cut brinjal, potato & arbi into small cubes.
6. Heat oil in a non-stick kadhai deep pan. Add panch phoron, dry red chilly and curry leaves to it. When it start to splutters, add potato, arbi ,brinjal cubes and squeezed banana stem pieces. Fry tor 2-3 minutes. Add turmeric powder, salt and mix well.
7. Then add mustard paste and mix gently. Cover and cook on low medium heat for 20-25 minutes till it is done. Stir it occasionally. 
8. Turn off heat, add fried badi and grated coconut and mix well. Manja rai is ready to be served.
9. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and enjoy the manja rai (banana stem curry with mustard paste) with a steaming hot bowl of plain rice.

NOTES:

• Always try to remove thin threads while cutting banana stems as much as you can.
• After chopping the banana stem, keep them in a bowl of water to avoid blackness.

Have you tried this “Manja Rai” recipe? Please feed us with your comments below.