Food : How to make Dahi Vada , the Indian dish

 

Dahi Vada, also known as Dahi Bhalla, is a popular Indian dish made with lentil dumplings soaked in yogurt and garnished with various chutneys and spices. It's a delicious and refreshing dish, perfect for hot weather or as a side dish in a meal. Here's a basic recipe to make Dahi Vada:

Ingredients:

For Vadas:

1 cup urad dal (white lentils)

2-3 green chilies, chopped

1-inch piece of ginger, grated

A pinch of asafoetida (hing)

Salt to taste

Oil for frying

For Serving:

2 cups thick yogurt (curd)

1/2 cup tamarind chutney or sweet chutney

1/2 cup green chutney (coriander-mint chutney)

Roasted cumin powder

Red chili powder or paprika

Chaat masala (optional)

Chopped cilantro (coriander leaves) for garnish

Instructions:

Soaking the lentils:

Wash the urad dal thoroughly and soak it in water for at least 4-5 hours or overnight. The dal should become soft and swell in size after soaking.

Making the batter:

Drain the soaked dal and grind it into a smooth paste using a little water as needed.

Add chopped green chilies, grated ginger, asafoetida, and salt to the dal paste. Mix well.

Frying the vadas:

Heat oil in a deep frying pan or kadhai over medium heat.

Take a spoonful of the dal batter and drop it gently into the hot oil to make small, round dumplings. You can wet your hands with water to shape the vadas easily.

Fry the vadas until they turn golden brown and crispy. Make sure the vadas are cooked evenly from both sides.

Remove the fried vadas from the oil and place them on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

Soaking the vadas:

Take a large bowl of warm water and add a pinch of salt to it.

Drop the fried vadas into the warm water and let them soak for about 15-20 minutes. This step helps to soften the vadas.

Assembling the Dahi Vada:

After soaking, gently squeeze out the excess water from the vadas and arrange them on a serving plate.

Beat the thick yogurt until smooth, adding a little water if needed to achieve a pouring consistency.

Pour the beaten yogurt over the vadas, ensuring they are well coated.

Garnishing:

Drizzle tamarind chutney and green chutney over the yogurt-covered vadas.

Sprinkle roasted cumin powder, red chili powder, and chaat masala (if using) on top.

Garnish with chopped cilantro.

Your delicious Dahi Vada is ready to serve! Enjoy it as a refreshing snack or as a side dish in your meal. The combination of soft vadas, tangy yogurt, and flavorful chutneys makes it a delightful treat.