Split Black Gram Fritters (Chilkewali Urad Dal Medu Vada/Garelu)

Indian Vegetarian Snacks Special

Indian Festive Season Special

Andhra/Tamil Nadu Cuisine

Skinned Split Black Gram Fritters (Chilkewali Urad Dal Medu Vada/Garelu)

Serves 2

Ingredients:

Skinned Black Gram (Chilkewali Urad Dal)- 1 Cup

Water- 2 Cup

Onion- 1, Finely Chopped

Green Chillies- 5, Finely Chopped

Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil- For Deep Frying

Salt- To Taste

Curry Leaves- Few Sprigs

Fresh Coriander Leaves- 4 Tbsp., Finely Chopped

Method:

Clean, Wash & Soak the Urad Dal with Enough Water for about 2 Hours

Preferably in Wet Grinder for Authentic Taste, Grind the Dal into a Thick Paste 

Sprinkle Little/No Water as this would be required for Grinding the Dal Easily

Mix the Chopped Onion, Chopped Green Chillies, Chopped Coriander Leaves & Salt in the Dal Paste

Heat Oil in a Wide Mouthed Non Stick Pan

Wet the Front of the Milk Packet with Water & take a Small Portion of the Dal Paste in the Centre of the Mil Packet

Make a Hole exactly in the Centre & Gently Drop the Prepared Doughnut Shaped Fritter in Hot Oil from the Side of the Pan

Fry in Medium Flame till the Fritters turn Golden Brown & Crispy

Drain from the Oil & Put on a Plate with Absorbent Paper to Absorb the Extra Oil

Serve Hot with Traditional Andhra Ginger Pickle/Tomato Pickle/Coconut Chutney!

Tips:

Skinned Black Gram (Urad Dal/Menapappu) is Tradtionally Eaten on the 3rd Day of the 4-Day 'Makar Sankranti' known as 'Kanuma', so take this Day as a Great Reason to Feast on this Indian Delicacy!

This is a Healthier Version of the Traditional Medu Vadas where Urad Dal with Skin is used to enrich Fibre in the Diet making it Lighter & a little more Guilt Free :)!!

Another Method to Prepare the Vadas is to Wet Palm & Take a Small Portion of the Dal Paste in the Centre of the Palm & Follow the Same Procedure as Above

Also, the Coconut Chutney Recipe follows in the next post..

Variations:

Traditionally the Fritters are made from (Urad Dal without Skin) following the same method as above

Alternatively, Cumin Seeds & Freshly Ground Black Pepper Powder is added to the Vadas

Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)