Dal Fritters/ Parippu Vada

Parippu Vada/ Dal Vada is a famous street food in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It  is peas dal/ yellow split peas ground into a coarse paste and mixed with onion, ginger, green chilies, curry leaves ,cumin and deep fried. Its crispy, crunchy and yummy usually washed down with a steaming hot cup of chai (tea).

yield :6 servings Prep time : 5 minutes cooking time : 15 minutes Difficulty : Easy

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups peas dal/mattar dal/yellow split peas
• 6-7 green chilies,finely chopped
• 15 to 20 small onion (shallots),finely chopped
• 2 tbsp coriander seeds
• 2 tbsp finely chopped ginger
• 2 spring curry leaves
• salt to taste
• oil for deep frying

METHOD

1. Soak dal in water for 2 hours and drain.
2. In a food processor add the soaked peas dal and coriander seeds and grind into a coarse paste adding very little water (only if it is needed) as the dal absorbs water when it soaks. The ground paste should be thick, so it can be shaped into discs.
3. In a separate vessel, add the ground mixture and combine with chopped onion, green chilies, curry leaves, ginger and salt.
4. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan.
5. When the oil is hot, wet the palms of your hand and shape about 2 tbsp of dal mixture into 2 inch round disc.
6. Slide the discs gently into hot oil. Repeat the same with remaining mix. Fry for about 3 to 5 minutes or till they turn golden brown.
7. Serve hot with steaming hot chai (tea).

NOTES

• If small onion/ shallots is not available you can use medium sized onion.