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Kalmi Vada Recipe

Kalmi Vada, or simply Chana dal vada is a popular Street food of Delhi.

Keyword Masala Dal Vada, Mix Dal Vada

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup 200 g Chana Dal (Split Bengal Gram)
  • 2 Tbsp White Urad Dal (Split and Husked Black Gram)
  • 2 Tbsp Yellow Moong Dal (Split and Husked Green Gram)
  • 2 Tbsp Arhar Dal (Split and Husked Red Gram)
  • 1 Pinch Heeng (Asafoetida)
  • Salt as per taste
  • Red Chilli Powder as per taste
  • 1 tsp Dhaniya powder (Coriander Powder)
  • 2 Tsp Saunf (Fennel Seeds Coarsely Grounded)
  • 1 tsp Haldi (Turmeric Powder)
  • Finely Chopped Green Chilli as per taste
  • 1 tsp or as per taste Finely Chopped Ginger
  • 2 Tbsp Hara Dhania (Finely Chopped Green Coriander)

Instructions

  1. Clean lentils and soak for around 2 to 3 hours. (See Note 1)
  2. Drain all excess water.
  3. Reserve 1 to 2 Tbsp lentils and grind rest of it coarsely. Do not add any water while grinding. If at all you have to, then just sprinkle few drops only.
  4. While grinding add very little asafoetida in it.
  5. Once the lentils are grounded, add reserved lentils in it.
  6. To this add salt, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, coarsely ground fennel seeds, chopped green chilli, ginger, and green coriander.
  7. Mix everything nicely.
  8. Heat oil in a frying pan. When very hot, fry round cakes of the lentils batter.To make round cakes, using your working hand (normally right) put a little batter on your non-working hand (normally left hand). Shape it round and slowly and carefully drop it in hot oil.
  9. Similarly, make as many roundels as your frying pan can hold. There is a small video, in the end, showing how to make these roundels.
  10. Increase the flame. Do not touch these for the first 30-40 seconds otherwise, they may break.
  11. Flip it carefully. Reduce the flame to medium.
  12. Cook from both the sides till golden brown.Like this make all the roundels. This much batter will make 7 to 8 roundels.
  13. Let these roundels cool down.
  14. Once cool, wrap in aluminium foil and keep in the refrigerator. You can keep these in the refrigerator for up to a month.
  15. At the time of serving cut thick strips from the roundels and once again fry them till golden brown.
  16. You can fry them in air fryer also. For this, preheat air fryer for 15 minutes at the highest temperature. Put strips and fry for 15 to 20 minutes.
  17. Serve with love, coriander chutney /kachalu chat optional.

Recipe Notes

  1. In winters you may soak it for 3 to 4 hours. But do not soak much else it would become too soft and we want little crisp lentils for making Kalmi Vadas.
  2. While frying, oil should be very hot.
  3. Reduce flame while dropping round cakes.
  4. Once added, fry on medium flame.
  5. Do not cut strips when the roundels are hot. They may break. Cut only when completely cool.