Cardamom Flavored Sweet Banana Gojju with Almond Slivers.

“Cardamom Flavored Sweet Banana Gojju with Almond Slivers” … A simple-delicious gojju that tastes awesome when served with poori / chapati / parathas … You can have this for breakfast or for dinner too … Yummy Yumz … 

** There always comes a time when laziness plugs in for no reason at all into our daily life and all you want to do is laze around doing nothing. Obviously during such time you simply do not want to enter the kitchen to cook something elaborate nor do you want to eat something heavy. This happens to all of us, specially during winter season when there is chill in air and the body just will not co-operate to work. In my case I must frankly admit that this happens many a times, either when I do not feel well enough to cope with work or when I want to complete some other work either at home or in my office that has piled up. Again, sometimes food itself is a distant thought from mind and nothing to cook seems to pop up in mind, as goes the saying “I am in No Mood At All”. I never tire my mind during such times nor my body by trying to force myself to do something time consuming. I always have some simple meals that are both satisfying, tasty and that which fills the tummy. Spiced Khichidi is my first choice during such times while there are some other backups too. Roti / chapati is something that is somehow not prepared on daily basis in my home, though in Mumbai almost in every home you will find them regularly as it is Mumbaikars staple food. Being a Konkani Saraswat from South Kanara, Mangalore to be precise, I love my rice dishes very much and simple cannot live without it. Somehow, if I have not eaten rice dish I feel empty from within, as though I have not had my food of the day, Sigh. 

** This does not mean I do not like roti/chapati at all, it is just that I love rice and dishes prepared using rice more. But I do make it a point to have chapati for dinner at least 3 times a week  I love parathas and prefer to prepare them as they are all spiced up and are almost all in one sort of a dish and needs only a simply pickle or raita to relish with for dinner time. But then, there are days as I mentioned above when you just do not want to work and those are times when a quick meal in jiffy is very appealing. I prepare either mooga dali usli (seasoned green gram dal) or some dal fry and serve it with simple roti/chapati and that’s it nothing more. Sometimes I just prepare raita with veggies-sprouts and serve the same with roti or I prepare this sweet banana gojju adding on some coarsely powdered dry fruits or almonds and serve the same, it tastes awesome and my hubby loves this one and banana shikrana very much. The later one I think is not yet added on in the Blog and is lying in the Draft mode, which I will soon edit and post. These are simple meals that one should include at times into daily diet to give a rest to both body and mind. We human beings have a tendency of rushing out in things and not taking proper rest at intervals, which is not good at all to the body as is my experience. By the time you realize your loss it is irreparable, so take time off in between for a few hours in a week to give your body and mind that break and look how fresh and energetic you feel to come back with a bang on working. 

** Here is my Simple Method or Preparing “Cardamom Flavored Sweet Banana Gojju with Almond Slivers” … My Style … 

** Peel off the skin of 4-5 medium sized bananas and cut them either into small pieces or thin slices. Do not peel-cut and keep them same before hand, once you do so, you should immediately start cooking them to avoid them from getting sour or discolored. 

** Heat 2 tblsp of pure homemade ghee in a thick bottomed kadai, when hot and the ghee has melted, add in a few strands of saffron and after a second add in the sliced bananas slices or pieces and mix well. Fry for a few minutes say 2-3 mins and then add in 2 tblsp of water, mix well, cover and allow to cook on low heat stirring often to avoid it sticking to the bottom. 

** The banana cooks really fast so once it has cooked slightly mash it with the back of the spatula and mix well. Add in ½ cup of sugar and continue cooking stirring often till the sugar has melted well and the banana gojju thickens up. Add in 2-3 tblsp of freshly grated coconut and mix well. Cover and continue cooking till the banana gojju is cooked well, turns mushy and leaves sides of the pan. 

** Add in a large pinch of fine cardamom powder and 2-3 tblsp of almond slivers or coarsely powder almonds and mix well. Remove from fire and keep it aside covered for some time to cool down. This gojju tastes best when served at room temperature, so let it rest for 15-20 minutes and it is done. 

** “Cardamom Flavored Sweet Banana Gojju with Almond Slivers” is done and ready to be served. You can serve it with roti/chapati/poori/parathas as a side dish, tastes great. Do prepare this simple banana gojju and enjoy with your family and friends. The gojju does not take much time in preparing and can be prepared in a jiffy, when unexpected guests drop in too. Best when served with roti, but you can try your own variations too. 

** Note : This gojju can be prepared with any edible banana available to you in your vicinity. In Mumbai we get Cavendish quality bananas and the same can be prepared with it too. Just keep in mind that the bananas should have ripened out and not raw. 

** The same can be prepared with nenderabale variety too, a famous south Indian bananas, in which case the cooking time may slightly get increased. I prepared the same with addition of dates syrup in place of sugar and it tasted fantastic. You may use the search option for the recipe or can mail me if need be in case of difficulty in finding the same. 

** This recipe is best avoided by Diabetic patients as neither more of bananas nor sugar is recommended by Doctors in their case. But you may do so in consultation with your physician regarding the same. 

** Children are sure to love this dish and they can be given the same without any hesitation, unless you are asked to avoid giving them bananas for specific reason. This is a dish which provides good energy to growing up children and if need be you can replace the sugar with jaggery too. 

** An Earnest Request : There are many more recipes of different types in the blog. For all my Recipes, use the search option or the label section in the Blog. If you are still not able to find it or have a query, please leave a message in comment section or mail me the same. I will try my best to get back to you as soon as possible. Do try out various types of dishes included in the Blog and Enjoy them with your family and friends and do give me a feedback if possible. I have also started a food group for by the name "KONKANI DELICACIES" where in you will find many more recipes by members and you too can share some of your own. The link to the group is posted on the left side of the blog page. Do join us in our culinary journey. I strongly believe in Sharing and always endorse that "Sharing Is Caring" … Thank You ….