Masala Vada (Evening Snacks)

Masala Vada is a famous street food item in the southern India. It can be had as a snack with a cup of hot tea or as a side dish with Sambar rice. I have tried item on the eve of Sankranthi and my husband just loved the taste so I'd like to share the recipe here...

Ingredients:

1 cup of Chana Dal (Split Bengal Gram)
1 tbsp rice (Small amount of this rice helps actually to make the outer layer crispy, so this can be optional)
1/2 onion chopped (don't chop too thin/small)
7-8 Green chilies (Adjust as per your spice)
1 tbsp GingerGarlic Paste
1tbsp cumin seeds
salt to taste
Few Coriander leaves.
Oil to deep fry

Procedure:

1. Soak dal and rice for 3-4 hours. Keep 1tbsp of soaked dal aside. 
2. In a blender grind soaked dal,rice ,green chilies, cumin seeds,Gingergarlic paste, and Salt into coarse paste(don't make it too smooth).
3. Mix chopped onions, cilantro, spice lovers can add chopped chilies too and soaked dal(which we kept aside) with coarse paste.
4. Take a small amount of the paste, make a cute lemon sized ball and flatten it with fingers (it should be in the shape of cutlet). Deep fry these in oil on medium heat. Once they turn golden color remove it from the oil.

 Serve them hot with green chutney/Pea nut chutney or Tomato Sauce :)
 (I like to have them alone just like that)