Wednesday 12 November 2008

Dahi Vadas and an award....Updated

Dahi vadas are such a treat for me.....while I am a big fan, Kartik isn't. So, I always put off making them because no one- not even the kids will eat them.

Some time ago, I had a HUGE craving for some when I saw this video on Youtube. I wanted to try out Manjula Jain's recipe because all of them have been a hit with my family so far. I've tried Aloo-Gobhi, Matar-Paneer and my favorite Corn Vegetable Soup so far and loved it all.

I followed her recipe pretty much with just ONE exception. I added whole peppercorns to the batter, because I like the vadas to have a slight kick. Other than that, its all the same. You can find the recipe on the site or read it below.

Here is the recipe - Verbatim from Manjula Jain's Website. The Photos are mine.

"Ingredients:

For Vadas:

  • 3/4 cup washed Moong dal
  • 1/4 cup washed Urad dal
  • Oil to fry

For Garnish:

  • 1 1/2 cup yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chilly powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon roasted cumin seed powder
  • 3 tablespoons tamarind chutney

Method:
To make the Vadas:

  1. Mix both dals and wash several times until the water appears clear.
  2. Soak dal in 4 cups of water for at least six hours.
  3. Drain the water and blend dal to very creamy texture. Just using enough water as needed to blend. Using too much water while blending dal will not be creamy in texture.
  4. Whip dal batter using a spoon in a circular motion for about two to three minutes until batter will become light and fluffy. If needed add few spoons of water.
  5. To fry the vadas, use a flat frying pan. Do not put more than 1/2 inch of oil in the frying pan.
  6. Place the heat on medium high. To check if oil is ready put a little batter into the oil, oil will sizzle and batter should start expending upwards slowly without changing color.
  7. Place about 1 tablespoon of batter into the oil. Batter should not be covered with oil. This will allow the vada to expand. The vada will be softer if they are shallow fried.
  8. Fry the vadas in small batches. Fry the vada until thew are golden brown all around.
  9. After you have made all of the vadas, place the vadas in luke warm water and soak for about 20 minutes.
  10. Next squeeze the vadas gently to take out the water, be careful not to break the vadas.

To make Yogurt topping and Garnish:

  1. Take two cups of yogurt and mix until very smooth. Use some milk as needed to make the consistency similar to pancake batter or lassi. Add about 1 teaspoon of salt or as needed.
  2. Soak all the vadas in the yogurt batter for at least twenty minutes, giving the vadas time to absorb the yogurt.
  3. Slowly pick up each vada and transfer into a serving dish, pouring a few spoons of extra yogurt all over the vadas.
  4. Just before serving, sprinkle some salt as needed, ground roasted cumin seeds, red chilly powder and finish off with a drizzle of tamarind chutney.

Variations:

  1. Change the proportions of dal or make vadas with just urad dal or just with moong dal.
  2. As an alternative, you can add chopped green chilies and crushed coriander seeds to the dal batter, just before you start frying the vadas.
  3. Instead of serving with tamarind chutney, you can add some chopped cilantro over the dahi vadas.
  4. You can also make the vadas very small and serve as a Raita dish.
  5. If you are vegan, you can also soak the vadas in tamarind chutney instead of yogurt and sprinkle some chopped cilantro."- Manjula Jain
The Verdict: I am so glad I followed this recipe...its is wonderful, simple and most of all Delicious!
Do try it.




The lovely Purva from Purva's Daawat gave me a wonderful award, thanks so much Purva!







29 comments:

Jaishree Iyer said...

Hi Trupti,
Thank you for dropping my blog n 4 sweet comments. dahi vada is my favorite looks yum & delicious.

Usha said...

Dahi vadas are my all time favorite,yours looks delicious and perfect, loved the idea of making vadas with two types of lentils...

Saju said...

dahi vadas, yummmmmm! now I will have to make them, or go to Sakoni (restaurant) to eat some. Guess what I will do?

Deepthi Shankar said...

i love dahi vada.. looks delicious

Dori said...

Hey, Trupti... The Dahi Vada looks so delicious, wish I was having it for dinner... funny thing is, I'm making Punjabi Chola from Manjula's website tonight :) I guess her dishes are getting lots of attention :D

Sia said...

Slurp... that too early in the morn!!! this is not done T.
i too liked mrs. Manjula's video instructions. i prepared aloo gobo following her recipe with little twist and it turned out really good. will be posting the recipe soon :)

Srikitchen said...

Join in the Sweet Event going in my blog!
http://srishkitchen.blogspot.com/2008/11/efm-event-for-month-november-with-theme.html

Purva Desai said...

Dahi wada looks perfect, Tangy and lip smacking....

Infact I made Dahi Wada during Kali chaudash (Diwali), its custom in our house to make wadas during Kaalichaudash...

Besides a lovely surprise is waiting for you, collect it from my blog...

Supriya said...

Beautiful dahi vadas Trupti. I have also made several of Manjula Jain's recipes from her videos. Now I have to try this one. One clarification - no salt in the vadas?

Laavanya said...

I've watched her videos and loved them but never tried any of her recipes yet. Dahi vadas look awesome!

Anonymous said...

yummmm....I just loooooove Dahi wadas.

Anonymous said...

Lovely recipe, Trupti. I too am a fan of Manjula's and have tried quite a few of her recipes. I have made quite a few of your recipes as well and each one has turned out great.
thanks
--archana

Anonymous said...

Yummy!

So you are back... I am sorry for checking in so late. I had almost given up hope after so many months. :) The gujarati shak recipes look great - I will try them soon!

Yasmeen said...

I feeling like digging in to those creamy soft dahi vadas,yummy!

Manasi said...

I am a HUGE fan of Dai wadas! Can eat them anyday! My hubby is also not too fond of them, so I make them all for myself! I use the appey pan / abelskiver pan, saves a lot of oil!

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

No one likes dahi wada at your place?
Its the other way round here.:)
We also add peppercorns to our urad dal wadas, whether in dahi or not.

Creativecook said...

Trupti,

This looks so good, I was insprised and made these over the weekend. Shall post sometime soon.

Rinku

Srivalli said...

Lovely vada Trupti!..

veggie belly said...

I love dahi vadas! There was a time when Id just eat bowl full for a meal. I bet these were delicious with the tamarind sauce!

Unknown said...

Dahi Vadas look great & delicious. I can finish them in a second!! slurrp!! :)

Vijitha said...

Hi trupti
Yummmy vadas! lovely presentation!

Chandani said...

dahi vadas look so delicious!!! my husband was just remembering them yesterday...i got the perfect recipe now:)...

Raaga said...

I also made dahi vadas recently... ok, not so recently... :) about 6 weeks ago. http://chefatwork.blogspot.com/2008/11/instant-guilt-free-tayir-vadai.html

This looks delish :-)

bee said...

i follow her recipe too, except for one change. i fry them in my abelskiever pan. less oil and more crisp.

Vibaas said...

These are my favorite and they look sooo yummy. You have a nice blog.

Anonymous said...

Tsk tsk...wht with these guys ,they have a heart to dislike dahivadas??
Though i make them, regularly but thanks to u,i got few wonderful tips here to make vadas more soft ....offf i am hungry again :-)

J said...

A quick question... did you use yellow moong dal or green whole moong? The pic does look gorgeous!

TNL said...

Jyothsna,
I used the yellow moong daal. Hope you'll try it.

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Wonderfully detailed recipes! By the way, which tamarind chutney do you use(brand/recipe)?

Thanks!

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