Dates - Banana Rasayana

Rasayana is a sweet dish, which is normally prepared using Banana or Mango or both together. It is one of the traditional quick dish, and can be eaten with dosas , neer dosas, idli, poori and chapatis. Some people call this as Shikarane also. There are many ways to prepare this Rasayana.

Normally Dakshina Kannada people (Udupi , Mangalore or Malenaadu ), We take a fresh coconut, grate it and grind it with little water to get its fresh coconut milk, then add jaggery and cardamom, mix it well and serve with holige (Pooran Poli), Kadubu, Neer Dosa, Shavige (Home made Rice Vermicelly) and even it goes well with Uddina Dosa. During the mango season we add ripe mango pulp to fresh coconut milk and prepare Mango Rasayana. We can use ripe banans also instead of mangoes or use both the fruits and make it more delicious. Believe me this is the way how the Traditional Rasayana prepared in our homes.

Now a days  it should be quick, easy and bit of on the healthy side dishes are more famous and good for office goers and the house wives too.This dish can be prepared easily if you have ripe banana and the normal fresh boiled and cooled milk. Eating sugar one has to think twice.

Adding jaggery that is what I prefer but this time used Dates and Honey instead of jaggery. It is still easy, you do not have to think whether the jaggery melted and combined with the Rasayana well. Think of preparing when you have lot of  well ripened bananas. Children and even all age group will love to have this " Dates -Banana Rasayana ", and 100 % healthy and do not have to worry about the sweetness.
Lets see a few benefits of eating Dates in our diet.
Dates are one of the most popular fruits packed with essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals that are required for normal growth, development and overall well being. Fresh dates are soft, easy, digestible and simple sugar. When eaten they replenish energy and revitalize the body instantly. The fruit is rich in dietary fiber, which prevents LDL, cholesterol absorption in the gut. They contain anti oxidants, anti infective, anti inflammatory. They are moderate sources of vitamin A. Dates are excellent source of iron and potassium. Date fruits are also rich in minerals like calcium, manganese, copper and magnesium.

Here is a recipe of Simple, Easy, Quick and Tasty  "Dates Banana Rasayana"  recipe which will fit into all age group taste and health.

Things Needed :

Bananas : 4 to 6
Dates : 6 to 8
Honey : 2 Table spoons
Cardamom : 3 to 4 pods.
Milk : 1 to 2 Glass  (Boiled and Cooled).

Method 

 1.Remove the skin of cardamom and powder it. Keep it aside
2. Cut dates in to small pieces and keep it aside.
3. Remove the banana skin and cut the fruits into small. Put them in a big bowl.7.

4. Pour 1 table spoon of honey on the top of banana. Put cut dates and add milk.

5. Mix all the ingredients nicely with the help of a big spoon or use hand. Squeeze bananas and dated in hand and let all the mixture mix it nicely.
6. Add cardamom and mix once again and shift  Dates - Banana Rasayana to a serving bowl.

7. Serve with the main dish you have prepared.

 

8. We had " Dates - Banana Rasayana " with Neer Dosa.

 Note : 

You can use more bananas. Use of jaggery or sugar instead of honey and dates also an optional. You can add dry nuts to Rasayana.You can add grated coconut to the  Rasayana mixture. ( It adds to the taste). You can prepare Banana Dates Milk Shake with this mixture. Use boiled and cooled fresh milk.
Time : 10 Minutes.
Serves : 1 to 2.

Banana Rasayana

Banana Rasayana or Banana Payasa is very famous dish in Dakshina Kannada. (Southern Part of Karnataka). It is also called as Seehikarane (Sweet dish).

Bananas, coconut milk, jaggery and cardamom is normally used to prepare this Rasayana. A little twist in this recipe is, using honey instead of jaggery and fresh milk instead of coconut milk.

Fresh, delicious bananas are available year around and also it is one of the cheapest fruits. 
Banana fruit is one of the high calorie tropical fruit. It contains good amount of health benefiting anti-oxidants, minerals and vitamins. The fruit contain a good amount of soluble dietary fiber that helps normal bowel movements and helps to reduce constipation problems. Fresh bananas provide sufficient level of minerals like copper, magnesium and manganese. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells and Magnesium is essential for bone strengthening. It is also rich in pottasium which helps to control heart rate and blood presure.

Honey is a healthier substiture to sugar. Its a source of energy. Good for digestion and is known to be useful for the skin because of its moisturizing and nourishing properties. The wonderful healing qualities of honey have been known since ancient times. Honey is an excellent first aid remedy as it is has natural antiseptic qualities. Honey helps to reduce cough and throat irritation. It works as Anti-bacterial and anti fungal. Honey reduce ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders. Honey is remedy for burns and cuts.

Banana Rasayana can be used as a desert too. This sweet dish is a side dish, goes very well with Dosas, Neer dosas (Dosa prepared with raw rice and little coconut or without coconut), Chapati or even Poories.

Things needed :

Banana : 4 to 6
Honey : 2 to 3 table spoons
Fresh Milk : 1 Cup
Cardamom : 3 to 4 pods
Fresh Coconut : 1 Table spoon
Cashew Nuts : 2 Table spoons

Method : 

1. Powder the cardamom and keep it aside.

2. Remove the skin of bananas and cut it into small pieces. (According to your wish).

3. Now take a big bowl. Add cut bananas, honey and coconut.

                                 

4. Add milk and cardamom.

5. Mix all the ingredients nicely and shift it to a serving bowl. Top up with cashews.

6. Serve with dosa or chapatis or pooris.

Note :

Do not add water. No need to add ghee or any other oily stuff. You can also add honey according to your wish. (more or less). You can also add dry fruits to this mixture. You can also prepare Banana milk shake with same ingredients. (Do not add coconut if you are preparing Banana milk shake).
Time : 10 minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3 

Recipe for Neer Dosa:

Wash and soak 2 cups of raw rice (dosa rice) for 4 to 5 hours and grind it nicely with very little water till paste. Remove from the jar add 4 to 5 cups of water and salt to the dough and mix it nicely and prepare Neer dosa. (Sprinkle oil before you put dough on the pan). 10 to 12 Dosas can be prepared.

Note : 

Must add sufficient water. Do not spread the dough with the spoon. Put a spoonful of dough and turn the pan little round. Since the dough is watery it spreads like dosa. Cover the lid and cook on medium flame.No need to turn the dosa. Must cover since it gets the white patch other wise.
Time : 20 minutes
Serves : 3 to 4

Raagi -Milk Shake

Raagi Milk Shake is  one of the healthy drink that helps you to be strong and energetic whole day. It provides energy, fiber and keeps you fit during the summer.
I have used Raagi/little millet huri hittu (Ragi roasted and powdered), honey, almonds and milk.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Raagi Huri Hittu Powder:  2 Tablespoons
Milk : 2 Glasses.
Fresh Rose essence  /Rose petals : 1 Teaspoon
Almonds : 4 to 6
Dates : 5 to 6
Honey : 2 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Take 2 glasses of boiled and cooled milk in a big bowl.

2. Put 2 to 3 tablespoons of water to Raagi Huri Hittu and mix it well. Remove the nut from dates.
3. Now put 1 cup of milk, rose petals, almonds and grind it nicely till almonds cut into small pieces.
4. Now add dates and grind it nicely. Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of honey and grind it nicely for 2 minutes.
5. Remove it from mixi jar and put it in a big bowl.

6. Mix it well and pour it to serving glasses.

7. Serve this Raagi - Milk Shake cool or with normal temperature.

Note : 

Adding ice cube to the ragi milk shake is optional. Adding fresh ragi powder instead of huri hittu optional. (Dry roast the fresh powder at least for 2 to 3 minutes before adding). Adding jaggery/sugar is optional. Raagi contain very good minerals and vitamins.Use of ragi in your diet helps to balance the sugar level in your food. Just mix it and drink this raagi milk shake util last sip. Ading any essence is optional. I have used home prepared gulkand /rose petals dipped in jaggery.
Time : 10 Minutes 
Serves : 2 to 3.

NENDRA BAALE GULAAB JAAMOON

Nendra baale jamoon is a sweet dish and I have used honey instead of sugar syrup and it is one of the simple healthy, easy and quick dish, I can assure you. We normally shallow fry nendra banana slices on the dosa tava (pan ) and sprinkle sugar. I have done that in my earlier recipe.
Lets see some benefits of having ghee in our diet. 
Ghee has full of nutritional benefits and medicinal qualities. Ayurveda recognizes ghee is an essential part of a balanced diet and considered it to be the best fat that one can eat. Ghee contain Omega 3 and Omega 9 essential fatty acids along with Vitamins A, D, E and K. and numerous other minerals are present in ghee.
Ghee helps to control eye pressure and is beneficial for who are suffering from glaucoma. Ghee is said to be stimulate the secretion of stomach acids and helps with digestion. Ghee is rich in antioxidants. It also contain anti viral properties. It is good for treatment of burns and helps in learning better and helps in memory retention. Ghee is a premium cooking oil celebrated for its taste, nutritional benefits, and medicinal qualities. Ayurveda, the ancient medical science of India, recognizes ghee as an essential part of a balanced diet, and considers it to be the best fat one can eat.
This Nendra Baale (Nendra Banana Fruit) Gulab Jamoon is purely my style a healthy and yummy sweet dish having a healthy concept and it will be liked by all age group and every one I am sure. 

Lets see the recipe now.

Things Needed:

Nendra Baale fruit : 1

Ghee : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Honey :  3 to 4 Tablespoons

Cardamom : 2 to 3 pods
Almonds powder : 2 Tablespoons  ( 8 to 10 Almonds)

Method :

1. Dry roast almonds and remove the outer layer of cardamom and dry grind cardamom seeds and almonds. Keep it aside.
2. Remove the skin of the nendra banana fruit and slice them into circle (very thin slices).

3. Keep a pan on the fire. heat. Sprinkle some ghee on the tava and keep banana slices in a circle shape. (Low flame).

4. Spread little ghee (Half Tablespoon) and let it cook on low flame and turn little golden colour.
5. Now turn the other side and spread another half tablespoon of ghee on top. Let it turn golden brown on the other side.

6. Now remove the banana slices and place on the plate. Pour honey on the top and then turn the other side.
7. Pour honey on the top again (a tablespoon will do on each side).
8. Sprinkle almonds and cardamom powder on the top of honey.

9. Nendra Baale Jamoon is ready to serve.

10. Repeat the same with remaining banana slices.

Note ;

Should be done on the low flame to get the good result. You can add more almonds. You ca also prepare sugar syrup and dip shallow fried bananas in the sugar syrup. I have used Honey instead of sugar syrup. Add honey to nendra baale when it is completely shallow fried and removed from the pan. Honey should not be cooked since it looses its good properties in high temperature.
Time : 15 minutes. (Total time)
Serves : 2 to 3