Super Soft Dahi Vada In Two Ways (Video)

Ingredients 1x2x3x

For Vada

• 1 cup Urad Dal
• 1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
• 1-2 Green Chillies
• 100 ml Water
• Salt to Taste
• Oil For Frying Vada

To Soak Vada

• 5 to 6 cups Warm Water
• 1½ teaspoon Dahi Vada Masala
• 1½ teaspoon Tamarind Pulp
• Black Salt or Regular Salt to taste

For Yogurt Mixture

• 2½ to 3 cups Yoghurt
• ¾ cup Water
• ¾ teaspoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Roasted Cumin Powder
• Black Salt to taste

For Garnish (as needed)

• Green Chutney
• Sweet Tamarind Chutney
• Dahi Vada Masala
• Chopped Coriander Leaves

Instructions

Preparation For Vada

1. Clean, wash and soak 1 cup urad dal in enough water for 6-7 hours.

Making Vada Batter

1. Strain the water from the soaked urad dal.
2. Add soaked dal, cumin seeds and green chilies in to the mixer grinder jar.
3. Pulse for few seconds to break down the lentils. Then. open the jar and scrape off form the side. Then add 3 tbsps of water and grind.
4. Again, open the jar and scrape the lentils from sides and add another 3 tbsps of water only. Close the lid and grind it to a smooth paste.
5. Transfer the vada batter into a large bowl. Using a hand whisk or a beater, whisk it briskly for 1 minute.
6. Add salt to taste and then whisk it well for another 3-4 minutes.
7. Take a small portion of batter and drop it in a bowl with water. If the batter floats, it is ready to fry.
8. If not, then, whisk it for another 1-2 minutes and check again.
9. Heat oil in a deep pan or a kadhai. Ensure that you have enough amount of oil in pan. Because, while frying, vada should be immersed well in that oil.
10. Once the oil is hot, reduce the flame to medium heat.
11. To make vadas, first wet your palm with water. Take the amount of batter in your palm.
12. Now, either you can shape into a ball or make a round shape and make a hole in the centre. Anything is fine, whatever you are comfortable with.
13. Gently, slide it into the oil. If the batter is whisked well and fluffed, then the vadas will puff up beautifully while frying.
14. Let it fry undisturbed for 1 minute, before you flip or stir it in oil. Then flip and fry until golden and crisp.
15. Take them out and drain onto an absorbent kitchen paper towel.

How To Make Dahi Vada

1. In a large bowl, add lukewarm water. Add Dahi Vada masala, tamarind pulp and black salt according to taste and mix. You can use regular salt as well.
2. Add fried vadas into warm water mixture. Cover and keep it aside for 30 minutes. The vadas will increase in size. Also, soaking vada in warm water makes it soft and porous.
3. Take the vada and press it gently between the palms to squeeze it to remove water. Repeat the same for all and set it aside.
4. To make yogurt mixture, add chilled yogurt in a large bowl. Add water, sugar, roasted cumin powder, black salt to taste and beat well.
5. Now, arrange soaked vadas on a serving plates. Pour the beaten yogurt mixture over the vadas.
6. If you like to, then drizzle the green chutney and sweet chutney over it.
7. Sprinkle generous amount of masala over it.
8. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves. You can also sprinkle some pomegranate arils and serve.