Uzhunnu Vada

This is a very tasty south Indian recipe and very common in the states of Kerala and Tamil nadu. It is absolutely impossible to count the number of times I myself had uzhunnu vadas for tea. It is seen everywhere, from small 'Thattu kadas' to five star restaurants and it is popularly served as an accompaniment with idlis and dosas.

Ingredients

Urad Dal /Uzhunnu Parippu - 2 cups
Rice Flour - 2 tbsp
Onion - 1/4 cup (chopped)
Green Chillies - 3-4 nos
Curry Leaves - 1 sprig
Black Pepper Corns - 1 tbsp (crushed)
Ginger - 1 inch piece (finely chopped)
Salt to taste
Baking Soda -1 pinch
Oil to fry

Method

Soak urad dal in a vessel with enough water to just cover the dal and keep aside for 1 hour (Note : After about 30 mins, the water level would have gone down. Now add more water to cover the dal again.)
In a wet grinder, grind the dal in small portions without adding water, if the grinder is unable to grind well, sprinkle some water and grind again till you get a smooth, thick and fluffy paste, the batter has to be as thick as possible.
Now  transfer the batter to bowl and using your hand, beat the batter and combine well for at least 5 minutes, this will create air inside the batter. By doing this vada you can get to enjoy soft, fluffy vadas.
To this dal batter, add chopped ginger, green chillies, onion, curry leaves, crushed whole black pepper corns, a pinch of baking soda (to make the vadas soft) and salt and mix well.
To have a crispy vada, add rice flour to the batter,Let the batter sit for 5-10 minutes
Heat oil in a kadai or deep skillet when its hot. Make round shapes ball with the batter using the palm of your hand.
Wet the palm of your hand with water and place a ball of the vada mix on it. Press it down slightly with the fingers of your other hand.
Now using one finger make a hole in the middle of it. Drop it slowly and carefully into the hot oil. Wet your palm each time you make the round shape, this prevents the batter from sticking on your hand.
Fry the vadas till golden brown and lay them out on a tray lined with kitchen tissue to absorb excess oil.
Yummy vada is ready...Serve hot with coconut chutney or sambar  and Enjoy!