Vada Curry

in Side Dish

 

 

Vada curry , is a popular recipe of Tamilnadu , which is served with idlis , parottas , dosais and many other tiffin dishes . The masal vadai , which is a hot favourite of the Tamilians, is used to make this delicious and tasty side dish . The garam masala flavour which is fiery , makes even the bland idli, tastes heavenly,along with it. The recipes are many for Vada curry , some add coconut milk , some dont . Some vada curries have , crispy fried vadais , added to the gravy , while spme add steamed vadas into them. In this recipe , vadas are steamed and coconut milk is nt added in the recipe .

 

Ingredients

To Grind 

  1. Chana dal  1 cup
  2. Salt   as desired
  3. Dried red chilies  4
  4. Fennel seeds  1/2 teaspoon

For the Gravy

  • Onion 1 big ( chopped fine )
  • Tomatoes   4 ( chopped fine )
  • Cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon
  • Fennel seeds  1/2 teaspoon
  • Green chili  4 ( chopped fine )
  • Ginger garlic paste  1 teaspoon
  • Curry leaves  few
  • Cardamom  2  ( pounded slightly )
  • Cinnamon 2 inches
  • Oil 4 tablespoons
  • Bay leaf 1
  • Cloves 4
  • Turmeric Powder  1/2 teaspoon
  • Coriander powder 1 teaspoon
  • Red chili powder 1/2 teaspoon\
  • Salt as desired
  • Coriander leaves for garnish

 

Method

  • Soak the chana dal,  for 2 hours . Drain and grind along with , salt,  red chilies and fennel seeds .
  • Do not add water , while grinding. Grind to a coarse paste . Make small vadais , of the batter and steam them for 10 minutes .
  • In a kadai , take oil and heat , When it gets hot, add cumin seeds , cinnamon , cardamom, cloves , bay leaf , ginger garlic paste and green chilies .
  • Saute for a minute or two , in low heat . Add onions and stir , Shallow fry for , 2 to 3 minutes or till they turn light brown.
  • Add chopped tomatoes and shallow fry . Stir and cook till they become mushy .
  • Add salt , coriander powder , red chili powder and turmeric powder , while it cooks .
  • After the whole mixture is well cooked , add a cup of warm water . Mix well .
  • Break the steamed vadais and add into the gravy and cook for two minutes , in low heat .
  • Garnish with coriander leaves .

Note

  • Coconut milk can be added to the gravy, to make it , r icher .
  • Vadais,  can deep fried in oil instead of steaming them . They can be broken and added to the gravy .
  • Sambar powder can be added to the gravy instead of the other powders .