Dahi Vada

Ingredients

1 Cup Urad Dal (Split Black Gram)
1 Inch Ginger, Grated
2 Green Chillies, Finely Chopped
1/2 Tsp Crushed Black Peppercorns
1/2 Tsp Jeera or Cumin Seeds
1 Onion, Finely Chopped
1/2 Cup Idli Rava
2 Strands of Curry Leaves, finely chopped
Very little water for grinding, approximately 1/2 Cup
Salt to Taste
Oil for deep frying

For the Curd Mixture
400 gms Curd
1/2 - 1 Cup of Water for thinning the curd(optional)
Salt to taste

For the Topping
Tamarind Chutney as per requirement
1/2 Tsp Red Chilli Powder
1/2 Tsp Cumin Seeds or Jeera
1/2 Tsp Pepper Powder
1/2 Tsp Chaat Masala

Servings / Time

12 Vadas / Overnight Soaking (8 Hours) /Preparation (45 minutes)

Preparation

1. Soak the urad dal for a minimum of 4 hours or soak overnight for around 8 hours in water.

2. Drain the water and grind the urad dal in a blender using as little water as possible, add water in intervals when grinding the urad dal.

Add the thick ground batter to a bowl.

3. Now add salt, grated ginger, finely chopped green chilies, crushed peppercorns and chopped curry leaves, chopped onions, and idli rava to the batter.

Mix thoroughly well. Stir the batter briskly for a couple of minutes, this makes the batter more light and fluffy. Now keep the batter aside.

4. Heat a pan with oil for deep frying.

5. To shape the vadas, wet your hands, take a small portion on the palm of your hand. Make a nice round ball shape.

6. Now gently slide the ball-shaped batter into the hot oil. Fry the vadas on a medium flame.

7. Fry the vadas till they become golden brown and crisp on both the sides.

8. Once ready, place the vadas on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

9. In another bowl, take water, add the vadas to the water. Soak them for 20 minutes.

Take each vada and flatten and press between your palms to remove excess water. Place the vadas in a serving bowl.

10. Whisk 400 gms of curd till smooth, if thick 1 cup of water can be added to the curd to thin it, add some salt to the curd.

Pour the curd over the vadas. Pour some tamarind chutney over the vadas.

Sprinkle some red chili powder, chat masala, pepper powder and cumin powder.

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