Vada is a popular South Indian snack made with lentils and spices, usually served with sambar and chutney.
Ingredients:
1 cup urad dal (skinned and split black lentils)
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
2 green chilies, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped fresh curry leaves
Salt, to taste
Oil for deep-frying
Instructions:
Rinse the urad dal several times until the water runs clear. Soak the dal for about 4-5 hours or overnight in enough water to cover the dal completely.
Drain the dal and grind it in a food processor or grinder to a smooth paste, adding very little water as needed.
Add the cumin seeds, mustard seeds, green chilies, cilantro, curry leaves and salt to the dal paste. Mix well to combine.
Heat oil in a deep-frying pan over medium heat.
Take a small portion of the dal mixture and shape it into a round ball. Flatten the ball slightly to make it into a thick patty.
Gently slide the vada into the hot oil and fry them until they turn golden brown and crispy on both sides.
Drain the vadas on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Serve the vadas hot with sambar and chutney.
Note:
You can also add finely chopped ginger, onions, and asafoetida to the batter for an additional flavor. Also, you can use leftover batter and make idlis with it.
