Urad Dhal Vadas. Lentil Fritters with Ginger, Green Chilies and Onions

Here is a recipe for South Indian lentil fritters called vadas. This ever popular snack food can be made with any variety of lentils that are soaked until soft, blended into a coarse batter, and fried up to serve alongside tea or drinks.

The occasion

These urad daal vadas were served up as an appetizer at our friends Lakshmi and Prasad’s home when we were over for a holiday dinner sometime back.

Lakshmi is a phenomenal cook and really she would happily admit cooking is her hobby. On this evening she had made an array of South Indian dishes both vegetarian and non vegetarian (she’s vegetarian, her family is not). These vadas were the opening act.

Vadas make an awesome appetizer with drinks or as an afternoon snack with coffee or tea

As Lakshmi was serving these vadas she pointed out that they taste best when had with drinks such as gin and tonic, whiskey or wine. Of course, any Indian snack always goes great with a cup of tea as well.

Easy recipe with stupendous results

These urad dhal vadas are so flavorful that you really don’t need any other appetizer. With a hint of green chili, ginger and onions these vadas are packed with flavor.

Just plan ahead as the lentils do need to soak for a few hours. Soak them in water for a couple hours and they will be soft and ready to blend into a coarse batter.

Then all you do is add in finely chopped green chilies for some heat, diced onions and grated ginger. Then fry up these lentil fritters called vadas.

How do these fritters turn out so fluffy inside?

It’s the natural fermentation that occurs with urad dhal when it’s soaked in water that creates a yeast like effect. When urad dhal batter is fried or even made into pancakes you get tiny bubbles that make the dish fluffy and yummy.

Here is a recipe for delicious lentil fritters called vadas courtesy of my friend Lakshmi

Crispy on the outside, soft in the center, give these urad dhal lentil fritters a try!

Urad Dhal Vadas
recipe contributed by Lakshmi

Ingredients:

1 cup urad dhal (these lentils can be bought at the Indian store)
1 1/2 cups water
Salt
2-4 Green chilies as much as you want for flavor and heat. Take the seeds out to keep it mild. Then finely dice green chilies.
1 onion diced
2 inch piece of ginger grated
Fresh cilantro finely cut. About 5-8 sprigs
Oil for frying

Directions:

Soak urad dhal for 2-3 hours. The lentils will absorb the water and be soft. Grind the urad dhal in a food processor with very little water until a coarse batter is formed.

To the batter add finely cut red onion, green chillies, cilantro and grated ginger. Add salt to taste. Batter is ready.

Heat oil for frying. After the oil gets hot make round shape of the batter or use a spoon and gently drop carefully in to the hot oil. Please be careful when frying! Start frying them until they become golden brown. Drain excess oil on paper towel.