I like to cook and eat natural, healthy, and tasty foods, and I enjoy sharing recipes from my native Indian cuisine.

Split Bengal Gram Fritters

Chana (Bengal gram) is a good source of protein, dietary fiber, iron, vitamins, and minerals. Incorporate this tasty legume in your diet by making these scrumptious fritters!

Cook Time for Dal Vada

Ingredients

• 1 heaped cup split Bengal gram, soaked in water for 4 hours
• 1–2 teaspoons rice flour
• 1/4 cup dill leaves, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup coriander leaves, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup onions, finely chopped
• 1/4 inch ginger, chopped
• 3 dry red chilies, broken
• 4 green chilies
• 2 pinches hing (asafoetida powder)
• 1 tablespoon oil
• salt, to taste
• 2 tablespoons coconut, chopped or grated

Instructions

1. Soak split Bengal gram in water for 4 hours. Strain it. Place half of the strained legumes in a mixer/grinder. Set aside the other half.
2. Add green chilies, broken red chilies, ginger, chopped or grated coconut, and salt. Grind to get a thick, near-smooth mix. No need to add water while grinding. The moisture in the lentils is enough for grinding.
3. Add the remaining strained split Bengal gram into the mixer. Pulse once or twice. This is mainly to keep a few lentils as they are and a few broken into half. Mix well. This is the consistency needed for making dal vadas. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
4. Add finely chopped dill leaves (optional), coriander leaves, curry leaves, hing (asafoetida powder), rice flour, chopped onions, and salt. Mix well.
5. Add in 1 tablespoon of very hot oil. Mix and blend.
6. Divide the mixture into many lemon-sized portions. Form a patty shape from each of these portions. Arrange them on a plate.
7. Heat the oil for deep-frying. Drop the patties one by one into the hot oil. Don't overcrowd them. Let the flame be high in the beginning. Once the fritters become golden, reduce the flame a little. Turn them often to ensure uniform cooking on all sides.
8. Ensure that the inside is cooked, as well. This may take about 6–7 minutes. Once they turn golden brown, take them out with a slotted spoon. Place them on an absorbent paper towel.
9. Repeat the same procedure for frying all the raw vadas.
10. Serve Dal vada (chana fritters) with a cup of hot tea or coffee. They are very delicious, spicy snacks.

Photo Guide

Step one: Prepare all of the ingredients

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© 2017 ShailaSheshadri