Masala Chana Dal Vadas | Spicy Lentil Fritters

This year I decided to make some typical and traditional treats for Diwali. Apart from the sakarparas and namakparas, I thought it might be a good idea to have some nice food from the South for Choti Diwali and something from Delhi for Diwali. So I made tamarind rice, masala vadas, and sambar on the 27th! And while I often make tamarind rice from scratch at home, I usually make my sambar using MTR sambar masala. I always plan to make the sambar masala at home but just never get round to it. So this time I decided I just had to make the masala at home and I did. And I have to confess - the sambar was the best I have ever tasted. Well, enough said about my adventures with masalas and onto the Masala Vadas!! (And of course, you might well ask: what did you make for Diwali? Keep tuned for some delicious Delhi Chaat!!)

Ingredients:
1 cup chana dal, soaked overnight
2 tbsp cornflour
3 tbsp rice flour
1" piece ginger
2 cloves garlic
3-4 peppercorns, crushed coarsely
1/4 tsp asafoetida
2 tbsp cilantro, minced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 green chilies, chopped fine
2 red chilies, crushed
5-6 curry leaves, chopped fine
Salt, to taste
Canola oil, for deep frying



Method:

1. Grind the ginger, garlic, salt, and asafoetida. Add the drained chana dal to this paste, and blend so that the dal is coarsely minced.
2. Remove from the blender, add the crushed black pepper, cornflour, rice flour, onions, cilantro, green chillies, red chilies, curry leaves and mix well. Check for seasoning and adjust as needed.
3. Heat enough oil for deep frying in a heavy bottomed pan. Using the palms of your hands, make walnut sized balls with the dal (lentil-spice)l mix. Flatten the balls into disks.
4. Deep fry 3-4 at a time on medium heat. Once they are golden brown and look crispy, remove and drain on a kitchen towel.
5. Serve hot with ketchup or chutney.

This festive savoury recipe goes to the perfectly timed JFI - Festival Treats. JFI is a monthly food event that was initiated by Indira of Mahanandi blog. It is being hosted this month by Srivalli of Cooking for All Seasons who has invited all you foodies out there to contribute your very favourite festival recipes!! Do drop by for a visit to enjoy the festival spread this Diwali:)





Vegan Recipe

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