At the very outset wish you all a very happy, safe and colourful Holi. Today is also International Women's Day. So, to all ladies out there, have a great day, celebrate womanhood! Cheers!
I guess people in India are celebrating Holi with full fervor. We too will have our share of celebration but not until the weekend. Till then, I can obviously gorge on the holi special delicacies. I had made this Thandai Syrup some times back and have been enjoying it since then. DH has asked me to make these Samosas. I have more snacks and sweets on the menu! Food is such an integral part of our festivals that you can't simple do without them.
These Dahi Vadas are a hit in my house and holi is just an excuse to make them one more time. As both of us are 'nuts' lover, I throw a handful of chopped cashews and raisins into the vada batter. If you don't like them, you can leave them out. I always made them in excess as they keep well for 2-3 days in fridge. Lets hop over to the recipe now.
This recipe makes 8 servings.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup Urid Dal (Skinless, Split Black gram)
1/4 cup of chopped cashews
1/4 cup chopped raisins.
1 tsp of minced ginger.
2 green chilies chopped finely.
Salt to taste.
Oil to Deep Fry
750gm yogurt
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp sugar
salt to taste
To garnish
Tamarind Chutney
Roasted crushed cumin seeds
Red chilli powder.
Process:
1. Soak the dal/lentils for 3-4 hours.
2. Drain off all the water and churn it in a mixer grinder with little water to a fine paste. The consistency of the paste must be thick. Whisk it to incorporate air and fluff it up. Add the chopped cashews, raisins, chopped ginger and green chilli. Add salt as per taste.
3. Heat oil for frying. Drop spoonful of batter in hot oil, fry them till they are light golden brown. Keep the vadas on paper so that the excess oil is soaked out. Then transfer them in a bowl containing cold water.
4. Beat the yoghurt with water, sugar and salt so that it is smooth and has no lumps in it.
5. To serve squeeze out excess water from the vada by placing it between the palms. Place the vadas in a bowl. Pour the yoghurt over it. Sprinkle the roasted cumin and red chilli powder over it. Garnish it one tea spoon of tamarind chutney.
Wishing you all once again a very happy Holi! Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!
