Vada Curry

Food can be stored and consumed the next day. But that is really boring!!! This is something that is re cycled. A wonderful side for Idly and Dosai.

The history of this dish is very funny. There is a vadai named Aamai Vadai/ Masala Vadai. Aamai means turtle. Why the vadai called so, because the outer crust of the vadai is that hard and similar to that of a Turtle's shell. 

So the hotels that made these vadais, when in excess, they stored the vadais in a big mortar and pestle made of stone. They then broke the vadais and mixed them with a masala. The vadais would absorb the masala and would turn soft and juicy!!!

What you need:

1. Channa dal - 1 cup (soaked for about an hour)
2. Dry Red Chilies - 4 
3. Saunf/ Fennel Seeds - 1 tsp
4. Onion - 2 finely chopped
5. Tomatoes - 2 finely chopped
6. Green Chilies - 2 slit lengthwise
7. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
8. Dhaniya Powder - 2 tsp
9. Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
10. Ginger Garlic Paste - 2 tsp
11. Cinnamon - 1/2" stick
12. Cloves - 4
13. Bay leaf - 1
14. Curry leaves - a bunch
15. Oil - 5 tsp
16. Coriander Leaves - a bunch

How to go about it:

1.  Soak channal dal for about an hour. Drain the water and add dry red chilies, saunf and grind it to a coarse paste. Add very little water. 
2. Make small patties and steam these in idly pans for about 10 - 15 minutes.

1. Once steamed, deep fry the patties and break them into irregular pieces and keep aside.

1. In a pan, heat oil. Add cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf, green chilies, curry leaves and toss for a few minutes.
2. Add onions, fry them until they turn transparent. Add ginger garlic paste and fry.
3. Now add the tomatoes and fry them until the mixture turns mushy.
4. Add turmeric powder, dhaniya powder, red chilly powder, salt and fry until the raw smell leaves. 
5. Add 2 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil.
6. Chop the coriander leaves and add to the mixture.
7. Finally add the broken vadais and boil them for about 5 minutes.
8. Smash the vadais a bit and the mixture should come together and thick.
9. Serve hot with Idly/ Dosa

Njoy with your loved ones...

Luv..

Champa