Paal Vaazhakka ~ Banana in Coconut milk ~ Dessert from Kerala ~ My Guest post at Krithi's Kitchen !

This recipe Paal Vaazhakka ,a childhood dessert which has been forgotten for long.After having Che Chuoi, a Vietnamese dessert  I got it back.For all those who are interested to read this one,this is my guest post at Krithi's Kitchen.I will be updating it here some day though.

Before I go on thanking Krithi here,I may acknowledge this is an overdue.Krithi is a good old food blogger,a nice girl and friend who is there from the initial days of Melange.I would love to hug,a gesture of gratitude and friendship before entering the recipe.

Krithi was particular about me doing something special from Kerala.That's completely logical.Isn't it ? Melange being Keralite.But then I thought I will post something really really special here.A re-creation or re-invention from the Past.A childhood favorite of mine,yet forgotten.

I was quite confused and anxious while waiting for my dessert Che Chuoi at a Vietnamese Restaurant.In a way more than expectation.Like many other Vietnam desserts, coconut milk was the main ingredient cooked along with banana and tapioca pearls.That was the description they had with it.Oh no,it struck me  that I have tasted something like that somewhere in the past.I was trying to recollect where and when.Nothing occurred to me till delicious Che Chuoi made it's appearance.Relishing the first spoonful it was almost instinctive for me to go back.To the fever bed.The smell of fever.This was a special mild sweet prepared during my fever-struck days during childhood.Since I skip my steamed bananas (Nethrappazham as we call in Kerala) often,they were done with a complete make over in this dessert.Infused in coconut milk and cardamom,bananas virtually rock in this dessert.To convert it more healthy,I may suggest to add honey instead of sugar.On to the recipe now.

Ingredients

2 medium sized bananas,cut into medium pieces. (Nethrappazham is better since it offers you kind of sourness too)
2 cups of thin coconut milk
1 cup thick coconut milk
handful of sago/chavvari
1/4 tsp cardamom powder
sugar,as required
pinch of salt
few cashews & raisins to garnish (optional)

Method

Boil thin coconut milk in a sauce pan.Stir in between.When it start boiling add sago and cook in low heat.After 5 minutes add the chopped banana and cook again till sago gets cooked completely and bananas done three fourth.Sprinkle cardamom powder.Pour thick coconut milk and cook in medium heat adding sugar and salt.When it start boiling switch off .You may garnish with cashews and raisins as well.(In Che Chuoi apparent difference is sesame.They garnish it with white sesame which gives it a unique flavour)