Banana chips - A crispy Kerala gift to the world

When i hear banana chips, my memories take me back to kerala. Whenever i visit any place in kerala, I'll buy banana chips without fail. I can finish any big packet at any day of time. Unfortunately, most of the shops in the place I live, don't sell good ones. So, I thought why not prepare it myself. Here is a recipe that worked for me, in fact 2 methods that worked for me. Check it for yourself, which one you like the most.

Ingredients - 

Raw banana - 2

Turmeric powder - 4 tbsp

Salt - 2 tbsp + 1 tsp

Oil to fry

Slicer

Steps to prepare -

Method 1 -

1. Peel out the skin of one raw banana and soak it in water.

2. In a different bowl, add 2 tbsp of turmeric and 2 tbsp of salt.

2. Take out peeled raw banana from water and use a slicer to slice banana in roundels. The slices should directly fall in the turmeric, salt water. Do not make the slices very thin.

3. After 5 mins, remove the slices from water and spread it on a cotton towel.

4. Leaving it for 5 mins, carefully add these slices in hot oil and fry on a low flame until golden brown.

5. Banana chips from method 1 is ready.

Method 2 -

1. Add 2 tbsp of turmeric in a fresh bowl of water. Peel The second raw banana and soak it in this water. Leave it for 10 to 15 mins.

2. When the oil heats up, place the slicer over oil pan and start slicing into oil directly.

3. Ensure banana slices are not overcrowded in the oil, they will stick together in which case.

4. In a small bowl, add 1 tsp of salt and mix it ½ cup of water.

5. When the bananas are half cooked, add one spoon of salt water directly into oil. Be very careful as oil will splutter everywhere. Add the water and step back for a minute until sizzling stops.

6. Fry until golden color and take out the chips from oil on to a kitchen tissue. 

7. This method turns out to be the best as it soaks salt very well and turns crispy too.

Tips -

1. Never slice banana chips very thin.. it'll become thinner after you fry and it won't be nice.

2. If you buy the right variety like nendhra banana, you need not add any color.

3. Using coconut oil gives that authentic taste, if you are okay with it's smell.