Masala vada, paruppu vada or dal vada, is a popular South Indian snack made from chana dal, onions, and a blend of spices. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, masala vada is a perfect tea-time snack or appetizer.
Masala vada is not just a snack but is also a part of many South Indian meals. It is often served as a side dish with rice, sambar, and rasam. It is also a popular item on the menu of many South Indian restaurants.
In Tamil Nadu, masala vada is known as paruppu vada and is a popular street food snack. It is often served with coconut chutney and is enjoyed as a breakfast or evening snack.
In Karnataka, masala vada is known as ambode and is often served during the festival of Ganesha Chaturthi. It is also a popular snack during the monsoon season when the weather is cool and rainy.
Masala vada is a nutritious snack that is high in protein and fiber. Here’s the approximate nutritional content of 100g of masala vada:
- Calories: 366
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 400mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 57g
- Dietary Fiber: 18g
- Sugars: 1g
- Protein: 20g
Here’s how you can make the perfect masala vada with a simple and easy-to-follow recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chana dal (split Bengal gram)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1-inch ginger, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh coconut, grated (optional)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)
- 2-3 sprigs of curry leaves, finely chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Oil, for frying
Instructions:
- Soak chana dal in water for 2-3 hours. Drain the water and grind the dal coarsely in a mixer grinder. Make sure the dal is not ground into a fine paste.
- Add finely chopped onions, green chilies, grated ginger, grated coconut (optional), cumin seeds, fennel seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves to the dal mixture. Mix well.
- Heat oil in a kadhai or deep-frying pan.
- Take a small ball of the dal mixture and flatten it between your palms. Make a small hole in the center of the flattened mixture.
- Gently slide the vada into the hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides.
- Remove the vada from the oil and place it on a tissue paper to remove excess oil.
- Repeat the process with the remaining dal mixture.
- Serve the hot and crispy masala vada with coconut chutney or tomato ketchup.
This delicious and healthy snack that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. This easy-to-make snack is perfect for tea-time or as an appetizer for parties and gatherings. With this simple recipe, you can make the perfect masala vada every time and impress your guests with your culinary skills!
