Ingredients:
- 1 cup pea dhall (yellow split peas)
- 1 teaspoon jeera seeds (cumin seeds)
- 2-3 dry red chillies (adjust to taste)
- 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled
- 3-4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 2-3 green chillies (adjust to spice preference)
- Handful of fresh coriander leaves, chopped
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- A pinch of hing (asafoetida)
- Fine salt, to taste
- Banana leaves (or parchment paper) for flattening vaddas
vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. Rinse the pea dhall thoroughly and soak it in water overnight or for at least 6 hours.
2. Drain the soaked pea dhall and add it to a food processor or blender.
3. To the food processor, add jeera seeds, dry red chillies, ginger, garlic, and green chillies. Grind the mixture to a coarse paste without adding water. The mixture should be soft and pliable.
4. Transfer the ground mixture to a mixing bowl.
5. Add chopped fresh coriander, finely chopped shallot, diced onion, hing, and fine salt to the bowl with the ground mixture.
6. Mix all the ingredients together until well combined, using your hands to form a smooth dough-like consistency.
7. Take small portions of the dough and roll them into small balls, then flatten each ball using the back of a spoon or your fingers.
8. Place a banana leaf or parchment paper on a flat surface and place the flattened vaddas on it.
9. In a deep frying pan or kadai, heat rama butter (ghee) or vegetable oil on medium heat.
10. Once the oil is hot, carefully slide a few vaddas into the hot oil and fry them until they turn golden brown and crispy on both sides. Fry them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
11. Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried vaddas from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.
12. Serve the savory and crunchy South Indian Vadda or Vede with chutney or sambar as a delicious snack or appetizer.
The South Indian Vadda or Vede is a flavorful and crispy delicacy that perfectly complements a cup of tea or coffee. The combination of ground lentils and aromatic spices creates a burst of savory flavors that are sure to delight your taste buds. Whether served during festive occasions or as an evening snack, these savory lentil fritters are bound to become a favorite among family and friends. Enjoy the tradition and taste of South India with this delectable vadda recipe!
