The reason i didnt make the vada batter fresh at home was that ,the vada batter is nothing but overnight soaked urad dal ground to a paste without adding any water...n in my blender over here in US the dal cannot be ground without adding any water....
But i was wrong ,i happened to hear from a friend that we can add few tbsp of water and for the other techniques regarding the fluffyness of the vada i saw the vah chef(www.vahrevah.com) sanjay thumma video on you tube for medhu vada
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwiDbLfHnjI
once i saw this video i knew instantly how to make nice vada's ,this video tells u clearly how to aerate the vada batter with hand when we blend it in a blender and it also shows how we can test the batter before frying by putting small batter of dough into water to test wether it is floating or not
So i recommend everyone to first see this video and consider these small things that help in getting beautiful vadas....but for the recipe for vada i followed my mothers recipe
Ingredients for Vada1 cup urad dal
6 methi seeds
Soak the above 2 togeather with water overnight.Strain the water from the dal .Then put half the quantity of the soaked dal into the blender along with the soaked methi seeds,add few drops of water n grind to a paste( in between grinding stop the blender for a while mix the batter n again switch on the belnder)once its in a paste form remove n then add the remaining dal n repeat the procedure...(U need to add only few drops of water not much)
Note: This procedure is for a blending in a blender...but if u have a ultra grinder or something similiar to it like a food processor u no need to add any water
Once u have the batter add
salt,pinch of baking soda,
Optional.....1 tsp jeera,3 green chillies chopped,1 onion chopped,chopped cilantro
Mix and aerate the batter as shown in the video....and do the batter testing as said in the video
Heat oil in a kadai for deep frying on medium flame...Once u know the oil is hot drop a pinch of batter when it floats u know the oil is ready
Now wet ur hand take little batter in ur hand make a hole in the centre and drop it into the oil(becareful not to burn ur hand in the hot oil)Once fried on oneside turn it n remove once golden yellow color.For a more detailed description u can see the video.
Alternatively u can take a ziploc bag just rub its surface with a wet tissue,then put a ball of batter on the ziploc bag make a hole in the centre ,remove it carefully n drop it into the oil.
Ingredients for Sambar
1/3 cup toor dal soaked n pressure cooked for 3 whistles or until soft,once cool remove n mash it
1 small lemon size ball tamarind soaked in water n its juices extracted
1 cup of mix veggies(carrot,radish,lady finger,brinjal,bottle guard)
1/2 onion chopped
1 small tomatoe chopped
3 green chillies
2 cloves garlic crushed
few curry leaves n cilantro
pinch of hing
1 tsp red chillie pwd
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp sambar pwd
pinch of sugar
1tbsp of fresh grated coconut
Tadka items(mustard,jeera,methi seeds each 1/2 tsp)
Method
- Heat some oil, add the tadka items then add the chopped onions,green chillies,curry leaves crushed garlic.
- Add turmeric,then add the mix veggies
- once they are fried add chopped tomatoes cover and cook until the tomatoes turn mushy and the veggies turn soft
- Then add the chillie powder,hing and salt
- Next add the boiled dal n mix
- Add the tamarind juice,cilantro and salt
- Let it come to a boil then add the sambar powder.
- once nice aroma starts coming put in the sugar and grated coconut
Serve hot with rice ,idli,vada or pongal......the combinations are endless.
looks gr8 Amukta.......!
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