Vada is a South Indian food made of ground lentils or beans and spices, usually eaten as a snack but can also be eaten for breakfast or another meal. The main ingredient is dal, which is ground into a paste and mixed with onions, green chillies, and various spices before being shaped into patties and fried in oil. Vada is usually served with chutney or sambhar and is popular during the Hindu festival, Onam.
A South Indian food, vada is a type of pancake or donut made of ground lentils or beans, called dal, and spices. Usually eaten as a snack, vada is a popular food in many areas of India. These fried pancakes can also be eaten for breakfast or another meal. There are a few differences between the versions of vada, but most relate to the type of lentils used.
Dal is the main ingredient of Vada. Urad or Chana dal is usually used, though sometimes urad is also blended with Moong Dal. Urad dal, also called black gram, is a type of bean common in India. Vada made with urad dal is usually called uzhunnu vada, while if chana dal, or black chickpeas, is used, the dish is called parippu vada. Whichever type you choose, dal is ground into a paste before being included in the dish.
Onions and green chillies are also added normally and various spices are added normally. Salt and black pepper, curry leaves, and ginger are usually included. Some versions may add garam masala and cumin seeds as well. Baking soda is also added frequently.
To make vada, the dal is first rinsed and then soaked for several hours. After soaking, it is ground in a blender with a small amount of water to a thick paste. Some versions will add salt and still grind the lentils. Most simply mix the other ingredients into the paste once it’s removed from the blender. Often, the mixture is allowed to rest briefly before being shaped or fired.
Once completed, the pasta can be made into meatballs. The patties can be solid or they can be worked into thick rings, similar to donuts. They are then fried in oil. If the patties haven’t formed, the batter is simply scooped up by the spoonful into the hot oil. These Indian donuts are deep-fried in portions until golden in color. Then, they can be dumped onto a paper towel before serving.
Vada is usually served with a chutney – often coconut – or with sambhar, a type of vegetable stew. When eaten at breakfast time, chutney is the most popular side, but for larger meals, sambhar is often the desired choice. Rasam, a kind of soup, can also be chosen to go with these pancakes. Vada is often served in festivals and is especially popular during the Hindu festival, Onam.
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