Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 cup urad dal (split black gram)
- 1/4 cup rice flour
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- Salt to taste
- Oil for deep frying
Special Equipment Needed:
- A blender or food processor
- A deep frying pan
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Soak the urad dal in water for 4-5 hours. Drain the water and grind the dal to a smooth paste using a blender or food processor. Add a little water if needed.
2. Transfer the dal paste to a mixing bowl. Add rice flour, chopped onion, green chilies, coriander leaves, ginger paste, cumin seeds, and salt to taste. Mix well to form a thick batter.
3. Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat.
4. Wet your hands with water and take a small portion of the batter. Shape it into a small ball and flatten it slightly to form a vada.
5. Carefully drop the vada into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel.
6. Repeat with the remaining batter to make more vadas.
Time:
Preparation time: 5 hours (including soaking time)
Cooking time: 20-25 minutes
Temperature:
Medium heat for frying
Serving size:
This recipe makes around 12-15 vadas.
Nutritional information:
Calories: 100 per vada
Fat: 4g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 4g
Substitutions for ingredients:
- Rice flour can be substituted with corn flour or chickpea flour.
- Chopped onion can be substituted with grated carrot or finely chopped spinach.
- Green chilies can be substituted with red chili powder or black pepper powder.
Variations:
- Add grated coconut or chopped cashew nuts for a crunchy texture.
- Add grated cheese or paneer for a cheesy flavor.
- Add chopped mint leaves or curry leaves for a fresh aroma.
Tips and Tricks:
- Soak the urad dal for at least 4 hours to get a smooth paste.
- Do not add too much water while grinding the dal.
- Wet your hands with water while shaping the vadas to prevent the batter from sticking to your hands.
- Fry the vadas on medium heat to ensure they are cooked evenly.
Storage Instructions:
Urad dal vadas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Reheating Instructions:
To reheat the vadas, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.
Presentation Ideas:
Serve the urad dal vadas hot with mint chutney or tamarind chutney. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves or grated coconut.
Garnishes:
Chopped coriander leaves, grated coconut, or chopped nuts.
Pairings:
Urad dal vadas can be paired with masala chai or coffee.
Suggested Side Dishes:
Serve urad dal vadas with sambar or coconut chutney for a complete meal.
Troubleshooting Advice:
- If the vadas are too soft, add more rice flour to the batter.
- If the vadas are too hard, add a little water to the batter.
Food Safety Advice:
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the vadas to prevent them from absorbing too much oil.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the vadas from the oil to prevent oil splatters.
Food History:
Urad dal vadas are a popular snack in South India and are often served during festivals and special occasions.
Flavor Profiles:
Urad dal vadas have a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. They are mildly spiced and have a nutty flavor from the urad dal.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve urad dal vadas as an appetizer or snack with chutney or sauce.
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Region: Indian