Thor Bhaja, which translates to banana stem fry in English, is a delicious and common Bengali dish. The dish is also very popular in South India.
This dish comprises fresh and tender banana stem or the cylindrical trunk of the banana plant. Combined with a few aromatic spices, the thinly sliced banana stem offers a rich flavor and texture.
Making the dish is very easy and literally takes very little time. Here is the quick recipe to make this dish at home.
Key Takeaways:
- Thor Bhaja, also known as banana stem fry, is a dish made from sautéing thinly sliced banana stem.
- It has a mildly sweet taste with a slight bitterness and earthy undertones.
- The sautéing process creates a tender texture with a slight crispiness on the outside.
- Thor Bhaja is typically seasoned with spices like mustard seeds, cumin seeds, turmeric, and red chili powder.
- It can be enjoyed with rice, roti and paratha.
The Ingredients:
- Banana Stem 500 grams
- Green Chili: 2
- Dry Red Chili: 3
- Mustard Seed: 1/2 tsp
- Turmeric: 1 tsp
- Mustard Oil 2 tsp
- Salt to Taste
How to Make Thor Bhaja (Step by Step Images)?
1. Add 1 and ½ tsp of salt and ½ tsp turmeric to the banana stem. Mix well with your hand. It will soften the banana stem and drain out the water from the stem.
2. Cover the mixture and put it aside for 10-15 minutes. Drain out excess water by using your hand.
3. Switch your gas stove on and put a pan on it.
4. Pour oil into it.
5. After oil is heated, add dry red chilies and mustard seeds. You can also use black cumin in place of mustard seeds.
6. After the seeds start spluttering, add marinated banana stems to the pan.
7. Stir fry the banana stems very well.
8. Reduce the flame and put a lid over the pan. Let it cook for 10 minutes.
9. Open the lid and stir. Cover it once again for 5 minutes.
10. Add two green chillies and salt up to taste.
11. Sauté it until the water dries.
12. Switch off the gas and pour the fried banana stem on a plate. Garnish it with green and red chillies. Serve it hot along with steamed rice, roti or paratha.
Recipe Card
Thor Bhaja (Banana Stem Fry)
Ingredients
- 500 grams Banana Stem (finely thin cut and cleaned)
- 2 pieces Green Chili
- 2 pieces Dry Red Chili
- 1/2 tablespoon Mustard Seed
- 1 tablespoon Turmeric
- 2 tablespoon Mustard Oil
- Salt to Taste
Instructions
- Add 1 and ½ tsp of salt and ½ tsp turmeric to the banana stem. Mix well with your hand. It will soften the banana stem and drain out the water from the stem.
- Cover the mixture and put it aside for 10-15 minutes. Drain out excess water by using your hand.
- Switch your gas stove on and put a pan on it.
- Pour oil into it.
- After oil is heated, add dry red chilies and mustard seeds. You can also use black cumin in place of mustard seeds.
- After the seeds start spluttering, add marinated banana stems to the pan.
- Stir fry the banana stems very well.
- Reduce the flame and put a lid over the pan. Let it cook for 10 minutes.
- Open the lid and stir. Cover it once again for 5 minutes.
- Add two green chillies and salt up to taste.
- Sauté it until the water dries.
- Switch off the gas and pour the fried banana stem on a plate. Garnish it with green and red chillies. Serve it hot along with steamed rice, roti or paratha.
