There is this train journey back in India which has such fond memories for me. My mother would usually pack food for us during such journey to avoid buying anything from outside – but she will skip doing so for this one. Why? Cos I will not eat anything of that. I would starve before and during the journey, would not take anything which fellow passengers would offer and will sit with my stomach grumbling away to glory. Was I such a troublesome child- you ask? Well frankly I would like to think No
There was a specific reason for my behavior. On the way, there used to be this one particular station where they used to sell one of the best Masala Vadai, I have ever tasted! The aroma wafting through our couch window has the power to just lift you off the seat! Bliss!

I used to eat only that and at that age it never mattered what any “subsequent result” would be for eating at such outside joints. But till date, nothing has ever happened to me!So when it was raining recently and we were also expecting guests from India, I couldn’t help reminiscing about these spicy fritters and I gave in to make these fried goodies! So much for my avoiding fried foods! Anyways it is immensely simple to make and the taste is simply out of this world. Needless to say this recipe is from my mom and without further delay, lemme go into the method.
MethodSoak the 3 lentils in sufficient water (after cleaning in cold water) for at least 1 hour.

Drain the water well and blend it in a food processor. Make sure you add No water.

The consistency should be very thick. If you are not able to blend properly, then add few drops at a time. The ground mixture should be little coarse and you should be able to take it in your hands and shape them.

Now add rest of the ingredients to this mixture

and stir until blended well.

Take a plastic sheet/zip lock bag. Grease little with oil/water. If you are just a beginner cook, then add oil in order to avoid the water splattering the hot oil when you drop this batter. Take a little of the fritter mixture. Shape it into a round and press it flat on the sheet. oil your fingers to avoid it from sticking to your hands.

Now flip the plastic sheet to your hands so that the mixture drops smoothly on your fingers. You can put it directly to the oil if you are comfortable.

Drop this gently to hot oil and fry until both the sides is golden.

Place it in paper towel to get rid of excess oil.

Serve hot with any condiment of your choice or just by itself.

It is excellent the minute it is made. So make sure you make them just few minutes before serving.

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Hey Dhivi , i have recommended ur site to my co-sister and she was definetly flattened by the whole work.She was wondering how you manage cooking , taking pics at each step ( professional pics ) upload it to the website and do the background coding work…….hmm…good going yaar….Ek aalsi ko bahuth jyada inspiration miljayega aapki website se.. aur aapse bhi …..badhayi hoooo DHivi.
I’m Danish and have tried vadai in Malaysia, where I was for 5 months. First time I tried them was for Pongal which I celebrated with collegues from Tamil Nadu. Yesterday I tried to make them myself for the first time – thank you for both the very informative recipe, and for the introduktion, which convinced my fellows chefs that we had to make vadai
super!!!!!!!!!!
I had a friend who shared with me her vada and I love eating it with some catsup. I’d love to guide our readers to your site if you won’t mind.Just add this foodista widget to this post and it’s all set to go, Thanks!
Amazing vadas!! Yes, I used to be the Parippu Vada (as we call it in Kerala) The smell of it is just out of this world. In fact, I m getting now!!
I love vadai. I can eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All day long!
Hey yummy vadas, love them….
Good one dhivi…
love these vadas! We usually make some extra so that we can have some the next day as well. the first pic is beautiful
Oh, goodness… It there anything as good as a steaming hot vadai on a cold and rainy day? These look great, Dhivi! You brought back memories of being on the train in India with the vadai vendors calling out, “Tea… Tea… Suda suda tea… Vadai, vadai… Medhu vadai… Masala vadai!!”
Oh wow my favourite vada….we call it chitti garelu means small vada…..Looks yum….
wada looks delicious DK..jst give me that plate I am hungry here
Wow,thanks for the greased sheet idea.I can never get it right.Love the tempting vadais.The train journey evokes such responses from me as well and is now a cherished memory
My mother just wets her hand, pats this down on one end..and drops it into the oil! gawd – till date it gives me jeepers creepers. Plastic sheet works wonderfully for me
Looks divine!
Love these..just looking at the pics made me hungry:)
Wish i could just grab few of them. I never make vadas or anything like that as i am a clumsy person when i have to use th emixer, i rey to avoid using my mixer as much as possible, could be also my knob was broken after using few times.
Now i have to take a spanner to turn it on.
Looks so yummy crunch delicous.
Wow the vadas looks very delicious.Cant wait to eat whole plate dear.
Nice step by step procedure..they look yummy.
Delicious looking masala vadai.. I love these fried goodies, can eat a whole batch of them if it was not for the calories and guilt conscious later. But anything in moderation is always good.
Masala wada with some hot steaming milk will do the magic here!!!
Wow .. so healthy, pic looks good as well
Wow..this vadai goes well with tea/coffee. I m craving for it.
These do sound amazing! I could see why you would save room for these. I once made a fried urad dal patty that I enjoy immensely, but these sound even better!