Ama Vada / Mixed Dal Vada / Masala Vada with Basil Leaves

Ama Vada / Mixed Dal Vada / Masala Vada with Basil Leaves

A crispy deep fried evening snack, made of mixed dals, basil leaves and seasoning. Basil leaves available @ Nilgiris , Chennai !!

Makes: 10

Ingredients

1/3 cup / (Indian standard measuring cup of  80 ml / 3 oz capacity) channa dal (Bengal gram dal

1/3 cup tur dal

1/3 cup urad dal

1 - inch piece ginger, finely chopped

2 green chillies, finely chopped

2 – 3 tablespoon finely chopped basil leaves (wash leaves and chop finely) or chopped coriander leaves or a mix of mint - coriander leaves or 6 chopped curry leaves

5 shallots (chuvannuli / sambar onion) finely chopped or 2 tablespoon finely sliced onion

2 pinches asafoetida (hing)

3/4 teaspoon salt ( or to taste )

200 ml oil for frying

Method

Wash and soak dals in water for 2 hours.

Drain out water completely and grind dals together in a mixer to a rough paste (Batter should be thick in consistency ). Do not add water when grinding.

Transfer this dal mixture to another container and mix with other ingredients. Prepare vada immediately. Divide dal mixture into 10 equal portions. Make round balls and and flatten into round shape.

Heat oil in a kadai / frying pan. Reduce heat to medium and fry dal vadas in batches ( 4 at a time ) till light golden color on both the sides.

Serve with coconut chutney. It’s a tasty evening snack with tea / coffee.