These dal vadas are made from the batter of the skinned black gram, soaked till each lentil grain is plump enough. Then grind to a smooth paste. Next, the mixture is whipped to incorporate some air in it, and finally, the vada takes shape. The dal batter seems to have a mind of its own, which most of the times behave like a disciplined child except on a few bad days when it completely refuses to be in harmony. Despite the hard work of labor, the final result is worth it, each spoonful of spongy, airy, vada is blissful and soothing for the gustatory cells.
The same dal batter can be used to make South Indian style medu vada. Or following the same procedure with split black urad lentil Kumaoni Style Vada can also be prepared.
To retain the crunchiness of the dal fritters, you can serve them separately and let the guests mix vada with yogurt and chutney of their choice. You can also make little dahi vada shots by making small vada and serving them topped with chutney and yogurt like a bite-sized starter. The options to explore this dish are limitless.
If you’re expecting some company and are planning to serve this as one of the sides along with other Indian main-course dishes, you can prepare a platter of Dahi Bhalla chaat beforehand and keep in the fridge to chill. Somehow, I feel, dahi vada taste best when chilled and not at room temperature. Regardless of how you serve this dish, it is indeed a delectable one.
Other Indian Chaat Recipes You Might Like To Try:
How To Make Dahi Vada in a Few Simple Steps:
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Dahi Vada is Indian style urad dal fritters served with spicy yogurt and tangy chutneys, a perfect festive snack. Learn how to make Dahi Bhalla chaat.
- 1 cup dhuli urad dal (split black gram)
- 1 green chilli, roughly chopped
- 1/2 inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated
- a pinch of asafoetida
- 4 tablespoon of water
- Salt as per taste
- Oil for deep frying
- Lukewarm water to soak the vadas
- 2 Cup thick yogurt (curd)
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala or as per taste
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- ¼ teaspoon black salt
- Salt as per taste
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon Sweet Tamarind Chutney
- 2 tablespoon Coriander & Mint Chutney ( see recipe here)
- 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 tablespoon Chopped coriander
To make a batter for vada, first clean, wash and then soak dal in water for 6 hours or overnight.
- Next day drain the soaked dal in a colander, let dal sit in the colander for 15 minutes so that all the excess water drains out.
- Transfer dal to the grinder with chopped green chilies and grated ginger. Grind dal in the mixer without using water, stop mixer in between, stir dal with a spatula and then grind. Keep doing this at regular intervals. If still, dal is not turning into a smooth paste, add 1 – 2 tbsp of water, then grind. The idea is to use minimum water to grind the dal. Grinding dal usually takes 10 – 15 minutes depending on the mixer.
Once dal is turned into smooth paste, transfer to a large bowl. Add salt, asafoetida and whisk batter briskly for a couple of minutes or till it is light and fluffy.
- To deep fry vadas, heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat.
- Take water in a small bowl and keep it near the batter. Wet your fingers with water, take a small portion of batter in you fingers and try shape it into flat tikke like ball. This requires little bit of practise. If this method seems tough, then take small portion of batter in a spoon and using another spoon try shape it into a round.
- Now carefully transfer the shaped dough ball into the hot oil for deep frying. Don’t be in a hurry to turn the vadas. Let them turn golden from one side.
- When the vadas turn pale golden from the base and sides, you can turn them. Fry the vadas till they become golden and crisp.
- Transfer fried vadas in a plate lined with paper towels. Once all the vadas are fried, turn off the heat.
To soak the vadas, take enough water in a wide saucepan. Add the fried vadas into the lukewarm water. Give enough space for the vada’s to breathe, as they tend to expand more in water. If the pan is small add them in small batches. Let the vada’s soak in water for about 10 minutes or until have turned soft. Once all the vada’s are soaked and softened scoop out, drain out excess water from each vada by gently pressing between your palms. Keep aside in a plate.
- To assemble the dahi vada, first, take curd in a bowl. Add salt, cumin powder, sugar, chaat masala and whisk to form a lump free smooth mixture. Adjust the consistency of curd by using little water, if it seems too thick. Taste and add seasoning to your taste.
- Arrange vadas in a serving bowl. Pour the flavored curd over the vadas, curd should be enough to soak the vadas.
- Top with the green chutney and tamarind chutney as required.
- Sprinkle the red chili powder, cumin powder, chaat masala as per taste.
- Garnish dahi vada with chopped coriander leaves. Serve chilled.
- I prefer to use a hand mixer to whisk the dal batter until fluffy, at medium speed to churn for 10 – 12 minutes. This gives really nice and airy texture to the batter.
- To test, whether the batter is light enough, add a drop of whisked batter in water. If the batter floats then it is fluffy enough, if it sinks to the bottom then it needs more churning.
- If you are not making Chaat immediately. Store vada in the fridge in an airtight container.
- Microwave for 5 - 10 minutes before soaking in lukewarm water to make Chaat.
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We have got for you one bonus recipe of Sweet and Spicy Tamarind Chutney to accompany the dahi vada. It is super easy to prepare and can be stored in the fridge for a month. It is a multi-purpose chutney that can complement any kind of teatime snacks and Chaat dishes. This sweet tamarind chutney is also known as meethi chutney or saunth.
It is a sweet and spicy chutney prepared with tamarind pulp and sugar. A must-have condiment with the Indian chaat.
- ½ cup seedless tamarind pulp
- 1 and ¾ cups water
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ¼ Cup jaggery, roughly chopped
- 2 dry red chillies, broken into halves
- Salt as per taste
- 1 teaspoon oil
- To make sweet and spicy tamarind chutney, soak tamarind in water overnight or for 4-5 hours in a small bowl.
- With your hands, squeeze the pulp from the tamarind in the same bowl or pan. Strain the pulp in a sieve and keep aside.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them crackle. Then add dry red chillies, fry for few minutes.
- Add ginger powder, red chili powder, asafoetida and stir to fry.
- Now add the strained tamarind pulp. Fry for 2 – 3 minutes, add chopped jaggery along with salt. Stir to combine. Add little water (approx. ¼ Cup) and then stir once again to combine. Let chutney simmer over medium heat till it thickens and turns into a thick liquid of dropping consistency. Taste and adjust the spice level, sweetness accordingly. Turn off the heat.
Transfer Sweet and Spicy Tamarind Chutney to a bowl. Once it cools down to the room temperature, store in airtight container in the fridge.
9 comments
This is one of my latest favorites… thank for sharing the recipe!
Tara you are always too kind with your compliments. Thanks.
Thank you so much for sharing the recipe Hina… the pics. are mouthwatering. You are going awesome 🙂
I can’t take my eyes from the pics… The recipes looks so delicious….
Wah! what a recipe. Will sure try it.
I am so happy that you liked it 🙂
yumm! such a mouthwatering recipe.I Am searching for something oil-free or less oily to prepare on this Holi and this recipe of dahi bhalle is just perfect to make. I Love it thank you so much for sharing step by step with great images, Now Will definitely prepare this at my home.