Dahi Vada Recipe with step by step photo - Dahi vada is a popular snack in North India. This is my favorite dish. Dahi Vadas are lentil dumplings dipped in yogurt and topped with tamarind chutney

Dahi Vada Recipe with step by step photo - Dahi vada is a popular snack in North India. This is my favorite dish. Dahi Vadas are lentil dumplings dipped in yogurt and topped with tamarind chutney, green chutney and some spices. These are great as a side dish for a formal dinner, appetizer or served as a chaat.

Preparation Time: 8 Hours
Cooking Time: 45 Minutes
Make: 25 vadas

Ingredients:

For Vadas:

• Urad dal - 1 cup
• Green chili (chopped) - 1
• Ginger (chopped) - ½ inches 
• Cumin seeds (jeera) - 1 tsp 
• Asafetida (hing) - a pinch
• Water - 3 tbsp or as required (for grinding the batter) + 3 cups for soaking vadas
• Salt - to taste

For Assembling:

• Curd/yogurt - 2 cups
• Chaat masala - to taste
• Red chili powder - ½ tsp or as required
• Roasted cumin powder/bhuna jeera powder - 1 tsp 
• Black salt - to taste
• Salt - to taste
• Sugar - 1 tsp 
• Tamarind chutney - 3 tbsp

Methods:

For Vadas:

1. Rinse and soak urad dal in water for 8 hours or overnight.

2. Drain and add the urad dal in a wet grinder.

3. Add chopped green chilies, chopped ginger, cumin seeds and 2 to 3 tbsp water in intervals and grind to a smooth batter. (NOTE: Do not add too much water otherwise batter will turn watery.)

4. Transfer the ground batter in a bowl add salt and asafetida (Hing). Mix well and beat the batter till it turns light and fluffy. This step is very important to make vada soft and fluffy.

5. Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. When the oil becomes medium hot, add spoonfuls of the batter and gently drop it into the oil. Drop 4-5 portions at a time.

6. When you see the vadas becoming pale golden from the base and sides, you can turn them.

7. Deep-fry them on medium heat until light golden brown and crispy.

8. Take them out from oil. Drain on paper towels.

9. In a bowl take lukewarm water. Soak vadas for about 10-15 minutes. Vada would turn soft.

10. Take out them from water and press gently between your palm and remove excess water.

11. Place these vadas in a serving bowl.


For Assembling:

1. In a bowl take yogurt/curd, salt and sugar, Whisk till smooth.

2. Pour the yogurt over the vadas.

3. Top it with green chutney and tamarind chutney as required.

4. Sprinkle red chili powder, roasted cumin powder, chaat masala and black salt.

5. Serve immediately.


Dahi Vada Recipe with step by step photo:

1. Rinse and soak urad dal in water for 8 hours or overnight.

2. Drain and add the urad dal in a wet grinder. Add chopped green chilies, chopped ginger, cumin seeds and 2 to 3 tbsp water in intervals and grind to a smooth batter. (NOTE: Do not add too much water otherwise batter will turn watery.)

3. Transfer the ground batter in a bowl add salt and asafetida (Hing). Mix well and beat the batter till it turns light and fluffy.

4. Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. When the oil becomes medium hot, add spoonfuls of the batter and gently drop it into the oil. Drop 4-5 portions at a time.  Deep-fry them on medium heat until light golden brown and crispy.

5. Take them out from oil. Drain on paper towels.

6. In a bowl take lukewarm water. Soak vadas for about 10-15 minutes. Vada would turn soft.

7. Take out them from water and press gently between your palm and remove excess water. Place these vadas in a serving bowl.

8. Pour the yogurt over the vadas. Top it with green chutney and tamarind chutney as required.
Sprinkle red chili powder, roasted cumin powder, chaat masala and black salt.