Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Ulundhu Vadai (Medhu Vadai)

Ulundhu vadai or Medhu vadai in one of the popular snacks in South India. It is also offered as neivedhyam during most of the festivals.



Level : Medium
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 16 pieces


Ingredients
Whole Urad dhal1 cup
Green chillies3 or 4
Ginger chopped finely2 tsp
Salt1 tsp
Asafoetidaa pinch
Pepper1/2 tsp(optional)
Onion chopped1 small sized (optional)
Curry Leavesa sprig
Chopped Coriander Leaves/Cilantro1 tablespoon
Rice flour1 tsp
Procedure:
Step 1:
Soak the Urad dhal in enough water for 1 hr


Step 2:
Drain the water and grind the urad dhal without adding much water. Just sprinkle some water at intervals and grind it.The batter should be smooth, light and fluffy
If you are using a mixie like me for grinding, the jar usually gets heated up quickly.After 1 hr of soaking refrigerate the dhal for 1 hr.The mixie will not get heated up.Alternatively ice cold water can be used for grinding


Step 3:
Add salt, pepper, rice flour chopped onions,ginger, asafoetida, curry and coriander leaves and mix well


Step 4:
Take oil in a pan and heat it


Step 5:
Now reduce the flame
Wet your hands liberally and take a ball of dough on your right hand.With the help of thumb make a hole on the vada.Then gently skip it into the oil
If this does not work, pat the dough on your left hand and make a hole.Gently slip this into right hand and put it in the oil.


Step 6:
Once you have dropped 3 -4 vadais depending upon your pan size increase the flame and fry the vada until golden brown on both sides


Step 7:
Drain the vada in a paper towel and serve hot with chutney/sambar


Notes:
  • The batter should be smooth, light and fluffy resembling butter cream icing.Do not overgrind as well
  • Do not soak the dhall for too long.The vada might turn out hard
  • Use less water for grinding.The batter should be thick. If the batter is dilute, do not add onions to it and add more rice flour.
  • For preparing as neivedhyam we usually skip the onions.Without the onions it is fairly easy to get the perfect shape. Beginners can probably try without onion
  • Adding 1 tsp of rice flour gives a crispy outer layer
  • Getting the perfect shape requires a little practice.Initially I used to pat the vada in banana leaf/plastic cover.But the basic trick is to wet the hands liberally and then hold the vadas to make the shape.
  • Do not fry the ulundhu vada in a very low flame. It will absorb more oil and becomes soggy
  • Add the salt and rice flour only after grinding the batter

20 comments:

  1. Yummy vada! Want to eat them right away!

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  2. Delicious vadai...I have been wanting to post this in my space for long...but everytime I prepare it, they disappear so fast that there is nothing left for clicking

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  3. I love medhu vada !! very tempting !! perfectly done !!

    Ongoing event CC-Chocolate Fest

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  4. Oh they look so soft and perfect. I dont get the shape at all. would love to have some now...

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  5. Wow,perfectly shaped and tempting ones!

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  6. Love it a lot but never tried in home.Have bookmarked.

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  7. Medhu vadai looks crunchy. This vadai is my favorite...

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  8. Drooling over those vadas. pass me some :)

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  9. looks yum and delicious tempting clicks ..........

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  10. wow i love it at any time,pls pass some:) Delicious Vadai...

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  11. They look delicious..Totally YUMMY

    Aarthi
    http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/

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  12. My favorite snack..perfectly made,yum

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  13. It's been a longtime i have cooked this medhu-vada ur pics tempted me and gonna prepare for this weekend :) Yummyyyyyy pics and love the way u explain the steps so elobrated..

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  14. This is even more perfect for the weather for me - have been dreaming of mysore bondas and ulundhu vadais (or donut vadais as my kiddos call it)

    Wish you lived closer dear - we can do some impromtu potlucks :)

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  15. Wat a super tempting,great looking vadai,would love simply with spicy coconut chutney..I just checked and saw that you signed up for hosting CWS Feb 2012...:)...Wanted to alert you to think of your choice of seed for hosting dear..Thanks again..

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  16. Thanks dear, lovely choice..Corn is prefect for me..dont forget to announce on 1st feb about the event..Thanks once again Shylaja..

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  17. wow..vadai looks very perfect and delicious....can I have some from that plate? yum yum yum!


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