Vadai ( Ulundu / Urad Dal)

When anyone refers to a vada, it has to be this crispy, soft delicacy that is prepared with urad dal. This recipe is one such recipe that can be great if prepared well. The technique is in grinding it well without water and the right proportion and consistency of the batter.

Preparation Time : 30 minutes

Cooking Time : 20 minutes

Serving : 5- 6 vadas

Ingredients

Urad Dhal – ½ cup

Green Chillies / Red chillies – 4-5 (as per taste)

Salt – To taste

Ginger – 1” piece

Pepper corns - 5 / 6

Curry leaves - a few leaves

Procedure

1. Wash urad dal well in water for about 10 minutes. 

2. Drain and soak with enough water to cover the urad dal for about half an hour. 

3. After half an hour, grind the urad dhal with ginger, chilli without adding water to a smooth thick batter like consistency.

4. After wiping out the batter from the grinder, add salt, crushed/ whole peppercorns and curry leaves.

5. Heat oil in  a kadai.

6. Use a leaf or a plastic cover and grease it with oil.

7. Dip your hands in a little water and take a lemon sized ball , drop it on the cover and spread a little with your fingers, make a small hole in the center , slide it from the cover and drop in hot oil carefully.

8. Fry till golden brown. Enjoy hot vadas. You can soak it up in sambar to make sambar vada and top it with finely chopped onions /  prepare curd vadas