UZHUNUVADA / URAD DAL FRITTERS

Uzhunu Vada is a popular snack in Kerala cuisine very enjoyable with a cup of hot tea. It can also be accommodated as a breakfast dish with Idly, chutney and hot sambar. 

INGREDIENTS:

Urad dal - 1/2 cup

Rice flour - 1 tbsp

Onion - 1

Green Chili - 2 

Curry leaves 

Asafoetida - pinch 

Baking soda - 1/2 tsp

Black pepper - 10

Ginger - 1 inch

Salt to taste

Oil for frying

METHOD:

1. Wash and soak urad dal for 1 hour.

2. Drain this and grind it to a smooth paste in a grinder adding few tablespoons of water if required.

3. Transfer it to a large bowl. Beat and combine the batter with your hand for 5 minutes.

4. Add the chopped onions, ginger, green chilies, peppercorns, curry leaves, rice flour, baking soda and salt to the batter.

5. Heat oil in a deep bottomed Kadai / CheenaChatti and keep it in medium flame.

6. Have a small banana leaf ready. Also, keep a cup of water near you and wet your hand with this. This will prevent sticking of the batter to your hands.

7. Place a handful of batter to the leaf and make a small ball shape out of it.

8. Gently put a hole using your index finger and shape up the sides to round shape.

9. When the oil has heated well, drop it slowly and carefully.

10. Fry them till they become a golden color, by flipping in between.

11. Drain into kitchen tissues.

12. Serve hot with coconut chutney.