Vadai curry/ Vadakari (Lentils Based Spicy Curry) ~ SNC Challenge 4

 I am really very happy to part of this months SNC challenge, a very successful event organised by Divya from You Too Can Cook Indian Food. This month challenge from South team is to make vadakari and its by ramya from lemoncurry and for north team its manjula from desi fiesta as she has challenged south to make rajashthani ghevars. 

     Vadakari is one of the traditional south indian recipe. This is a simpler version of Vada Curry. Making vada and the gravy can be done parallelly. This goes well with Idli, Appam, Roti. I used to have with Rice and Papad.. I have prepared this as semi gravy.

Ingredients :

For making Vadas:

Bengal gram/ channa dal - 200 gm

Fennel seeds - 1 tbsp

Red chillies - 5 nos

Garlic - 4 cloves

Salt - to taste

Oil - as required 

For Curry:

Onion - 2 

Tomato - 1 

Chilli Powder- 1/2 tbsp

Green chilli - 2 nos

Garam Masala - 1/4 tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tbsp 

Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp

Coriander Powder - 1 tsp

Salt - to taste

Water - as required

For seasioning :

Oil - 2 tbsp

Mustard seeds- 1tbsp

Fennel seeds - 1 tbsp

Cinnamon - 1 stick

Method :

Soak channa dal for atleast 2 hrs. Drain the water completely and grind to a coarse paste. Mix all the other ingredients . 

mentioned in "For Vada" Section except oil and keep aside.

Now chopped onion, green chilli and tomato. 

In a deep bottomed pan, heat oil and take the small amount of batter and flatten it and drop it carefully. Fry vada till it 

turns light brown. 

Heat oil in a pan, add fennel seeds,mustard seeds,cinnamon, when seeds are splutter then add onion and fry till it becomes golden brown. Add Tomato, cook covered till it turns soft.

Now add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, mix well it.

Add the masala vadas and simmer for 5 minutes. Add salt to taste and stirring.

Check for seasoning and adjust. 

Serve hot with Dosa ,Idli and steamed rice also. 

Tips - 

• Vadas will absorb some water from vadakari. Quantity of water to be added, can be varied accordingly.
• Adding coconut milk is optional. It makes the dish creamy and rich in taste.