Steamed Nendran Banana!
That's the breakfast I am talking about.
We have it whenever nendran bananas are available . When I have to leave home early, or take a call early in the morning.
And hey, there is no recipe! It is so simple that a 10 year-old can do it. See the video.
Here are a few things to keep in mind (which I have not fully covered in the video):
1. DO NOT over steam it. It can get very squishy and you may not like it. After you switch off the stove, remove the nendran pieces from the steamer, otherwise it will continue to cook in the remnant steam.
2. Allow it to cool for 10 minutes while you get ready to go. It is easier to peel when it is cooler. But don't let it cool too much, if you like a hot breakfast!
3. Don't worry if the Nendran peel is black in color It is actually sweeter and more tasty when it is over-ripe. Our staff used to throw it away thinking it is not good to eat, until I showed them how it is exquisite when over-ripe!
4. Eating it raw is ok, but it can get tougher to digest. Steaming it does wonders. Just try it out.
5. Some folks who like to have fun caramelize it. Cut it long and put it on a skillet or tawa and add brown sugar or jaggery powder on top of it. The sugar/jaggery powder melts and you can have a very sweet breakfast. This takes longer though. Do it only if your blood sugar is under control. I don't like it sweetened, I like the natural sweetness myself.
6. Avoid just ripened Nendrans. You can know when you press it. If it is harder, then wait till they ripen a bit more. If it is very yellow, wait till you start seeing a lot more black on the peel, before you steam it. Just-ripe Nendrans steamed can be less tasty and harder to eat. It is counter-intuitive. Most of us prefer bananas when they are yellow or just ripe. Not with Nendrans!
7. No, this does not work with any other banana (as far as I know). Because Nendran has a tougher quality to it. Steaming any other banana is ok if you want it as a pudding. Nendran remains fairly firm even after steaming, and it is tastier. TBH I have not tried steaming other bananas!
8. Where do you get Nendrans? Go where Mallus shop in your city. There are dedicated stores for kerala produce with items that Keralites enjoy most. You are sure to find Nendrans there!
So enjoy the best and quickest breakfast you could have.
Move over protein bars and breakfast bars!
Stay natural. Stay simple. Stick to Basics.
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