- 1
Soak 200 gms of urad dal in water for about 4-5 hours or overnight and clean; squeeze out the excess water when it is thoroughly soaked and absorbent, and grind it to a paste.
- 2
A little water can be added during the grinding stage to achieve the required consistency.
- 3
The batter needs to be thick and fluffy, which will lighten the vadas.
- 4
Add salt according to taste and then whisk the batter for some minutes, and that's an essential step because it incorporates air in it;
- 5
This allows the batter to foam, and the vadas are going to be very soft and fluffy after they get fried.
- 6
Deep fry the vadas with inadequate oil in a deep frying pan or kadai.
- 7
It is to be noted that the oil must be heated to the correct level so that your videos will get fried out to be golden and crispy. Wet your hands a little so that this batter does not stick to them.
- 8
Now take a small quantity of this one and make a round ball. Flatten it a little and slightly poke a small hole at the centre to get a doughnut-like shape.
- 9
The traditional doughnut makes sure that the vada gets evenly cooked.
- 10
Slide the shaped vada gently into the hot oil and fry it on a low to medium flame until it turns golden brown.
- 11
Fry about 3-4 vadas at a time, which can be according to the size of your pan so as not to crowd the pan.
- 12
Once fried, take them out of the oil and place them on paper towels so excess oil can drip.
- 13
Fry the vadas in warm water for 10-15 minutes so they may become soft, therefore making it easy to soak up yoghurt.
- 14
This way, the vadas will be soft and tender, hence prone to absorbing the yoghurt. While doing so, prepare the yoghurt mixture by soaking it in vadas.
- 15
Take another bowl and whisk the 500 gms thick yoghurt or dahi to a smooth and creamy consistency.
- 16
Add salt and sugar to taste and water to make the dahi a little runny.
- 17
The yoghurt should be seasoned well to complement the vadas.
- 18
When the vadas are tender, wring them out gently and squeeze as much water as possible. Then, put it in the yoghurt mixture.
- 19
Soak the vadas in curd for at least 30 minutes so that they imbibe all the flavours and become tender and soft; the longer they are soaked, the more savoury and tastier they will be.
- 20
Serve them by arranging those yoghurt-soaked vadas on a serving plate. Pour tamarind chutney as a sweet and tangy contrast to the smooth curd.
- 21
Sprinkle roasted cumin powder, red chilli powder, and chaat masala over vadas for a burst of flavour. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves and sev (crunchy chickpea noodles) for added texture and colour.
- 22
This Dahi Vada recipe is a celebration of textures and flavour: the soft, fluffy vadas soaked in a dollop of creamy yoghurt and mixed with tangy, spicy, sweet toppings.
- 23
Whether part of an appetiser or a snack, this dish will surely be refreshing and quite irresistible. Dahi vada would be in the right place anytime, including festivals and special occasions.