Masala Vadas / Chettambado

Masala Vadas

Ingredients :

Chana dal - 1 cup
Green chillies - 1 chopped (I am adding red chilli powder here so used only 1. You can adjust the spice according to your taste bud :) )
Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Dry coconut/ Copra - 3 tblsp (Cut it into very thin slices)
Hing - a generous amount
Salt
Oil - for frying
 
Optional items :
 
Onions - chopped finely
Dill leaves - finely chopped
 
Method :
 
Soak chana dal for 3 hrs. Drain it into a vessel.
 
In a mixer jar add chana dal and salt and grind it to a course paste. Donot add water while grinding. If you find some chana dal in the paste need not worry. It will add crunch to the vadas while you fry it.
 
In a bowl add the above paste, green chillies, red chilli powder, hing, copra and mix well. You can add onions and dill leaves at this stage though I haven't added it here.
 
Make round balls and flatten it.
 
Heat oil and drop the vadas in and fry untill the colour changes to brown. Serve it with dip of your choice.

Methi Leaves Ambado

Ingredients :

Methi leaves – ¼ cup chopped

Rice flour – ½ cup

Chopped onion (optional) – ½

Red chili powder – 3-4 tsp (as per taste)

Asafoteida (Hing) – a generous pinch

Salt – as per taste

Method :

Take all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well and let it rest for 30 mins. Do not add water to the mixture at this stage.

After 30mins check if you are able to form round balls. I have added onion here since it gives out water I was able to make round balls. If not add minimal water to the mixture and check if you are able to form the balls.

Heat oil and drop these balls and deep fry them until done. The pakodas are ready to be served!!