Medu Vadas

Medu Vadas

"Medu Vada is a South Indian breakfast and is also a popular street snack. They are savoury lentil doughnuts and is often eaten with coconut chutney and sambar (lentil curry)."

Ingredients

2 cups Urad dal also known as Vigna Mungo in English
2 onions, chopped finely
1 tsp cumin seeds
5-6 curry leaves, chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
1/3 cup chopped coconut pieces (optional)
2 green chillies, chopped finely
2 tsp rice powder (makes them crispier)
salt to taste
Cooking oil for frying

Directions
1. Wash Urad dal and soak in water for 4-5 hours or overnight. Drain through a sieve.

2. In a blender, grind the dal to a paste using very little water if necessary. You can grind this in batches. The batter should be thick or else you won't be able to shape the vadas.

3. Remove the paste into a large bowl and add the rice powder, chopped onions, ginger, herbs, spices and coconut. Add salt and check seasoning. Mix in a clockwise position for a few minutes to gather air into the batter.

4. Heat oil in a wok. Keep a bowl of water ready. Wet the palms of your hands and take a lemon size ball of the batter. Shape well and flatten. Make a hole in the center like a doughnut. Slide the vada into the hot oil carefully (the oil should not be too hot or the vadas won't cook inside). Continue making them and fry the vadas 4 at a time on both sides till golden brown. The vadas should flat on the oil. Remove and drain on a paper towel.

5. Serve with coconut chutney and sambar. See my recipe for coconut chutney here.