Chettinadu Vada Curry

Ingredients for Vada:

• 1 cup Chana dal
• 1 cup Onion finely chopped
• 2 tbsp Coriander leaves
• 1 Green chili
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Method:

1. Wash and soak the dal in water for 2 hours.
2. Grind to a coarse paste along with green chili.

3. Transfer to a bowl, add onions, coriander leaves and salt. Mix them well.
4. Heat a oil for deep frying.

5. Now fry the mixed dals into small pakodas (vadas).
6. When red in color remove and keep aside.

Ingredients for Curry:

• 1/2 cup Onions chopped
• 2 Tomatoes purred
• 1/4 Turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp Mustard seeds
• 3 tbsp Oil
• 1 sprig Curry leaves
• 2tbsp Coriander leaves
• Salt to taste

Ingredients for Masala:

• 1 Onion chopped
• 1"piece Ginger
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 5 Red chillies
• 5 Green chillies
• 1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
• 2 Cardamons
• 1"piece Cinnamon
• 2 Cloves
• 1 tbsp Roasted fried gram

Method:

1. Grind all the ingredients for masala to a fine paste and keep aside.
2. Heat a pan, add oil, when hot add mustard seeds, add onions and curry leaves.
3. Fry well until golden brown.
4. Add the grounded paste and keep frying until oil is visible.
5. Now add tomato puree and turmeric powder, fry until oil leaves the sides.
6. Add 3 cups of water and salt.
7. Allow to boil, add the prepared pakodas (vada).
8. Simmer the heat to medium, cover the lid and cook for 5 minutes.
9. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with rice, dosa or idly.

Note:

1. While cooking this curry pour plenty enough of water.
2. The vadas/pakodas will absorb all the water and the gravy becomes thick.