Dear Friends,
My family including small one in our family love to eat South Indian food. I make many South Indian dishes at home. You can find many variety of curry, soup, dosa, idli, chutney and many more on my website. One the the appetizer is Medu vada. I make these vada two ways, either deep frying or preparing in appe pan (Paniyaram pan). Non fried version is perfect for those who are on healthy diet and avoid fried food without compromising the taste. These vadas are prepared using lentils (dals) which are high in protein!
This recipe serves as a side dish to 3 people.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
For Paste
2 cup urad dal
1 tbsp chana dal
1 tsp fenugreek seeds
Other Ingredients
1 small onion chopped finely
2-3 green chili finely chopped or as per your taste
1 tsp ginger paste
1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
Small pinch of asafoetida
1 tsp cumin seeds
Salt to taste
Oil for cooking
Procedure
1. In a large bowl, wash both dal, and fenugreek seeds with water a couple of times, and soak it in water for 3-4 hours. Once the dal is completely soaked, grind the mixture to a fine gradient paste using a mixer, keeping the amount of water used to grind minimal. Set this mixture aside for 1/2 hour.
2. When you are ready to make vada, add chopped onion, green chilies, ginger paste, chopped coriander leaves, pinch of asafoetida and salt. Before adding cumin, rub it between the palms and then add to the mixture, this will enhance the flavour. Mix everything thoroughly whisking with hands for 3-4 minutes so mixture becomes light.
3. Non Fried version: Add 2-3 drops of oil to each hole of the Paniyaram pan to grease it. Pre-heat the pan on medium heat on the stove. Once the pan is hot, pour the mixture into each hole and let it cook until bottom part is golden brown, flip each ball over upside down, add another drop of oil to each hole, cook until vadas are golden and crisp from all sides.
4. Deep Fried version: Heat a pan with enough oil for frying. When oil is hot, reduce the heat. Now wet your left palm. Using right hand drop about 1 tbsp batter in the hand. make a whole in the middle with finger ( just like doughnut). Slowly transfer this doughnut shape vada in oil without burning your hand. It’s tricky so be very cautious. You can find many techniques to prepare these vada if you do google search. Some people use wet cloth or back of the wet flat spatula. Fry on medium heat until slightly brown and crispy from both sides. It will take 3-4 mins and flip couple times while frying.
5. When ready, these vadas are crisp from outside and soft from inside. Serve medu vada with sambar, chana urad dal chutney, spicy tangy mango coconut chutney or tomato chutney.
These vadas can be served as an appetizer with chutney or as a main with sambar and chutney. It is super-delicious, protein rich and easy to get the kids to eat it too! Try it for yourself!
You can check out other South Indian recipes on my website.
Let me know if you have any question regarding this dish.
Thank you for visiting my website. Until next time!
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