Masal Vadai

Ingredients

• 1 cup Chana dal
• 1/4 cup Finely chopped onion
• 7 Green chili (made into a paste)
• 1 Tablespoon Crushed ginger
• 2 Tablespoons Chopped coriander and curry leaves
• as needed Salt
• Oil (as needed, for frying)

Instructions

1. Wash the dal, cover with water, and soak for 2 hours.
2. Drain the water completely and grind coarsely.
3. Mix in salt, ginger paste, chili paste, chopped coriander, and curry leaves.
4. Shape lemon-sized balls, flatten lightly, and deep-fry in hot oil.
5. Serve hot with some thokku alongside.
6. Alternative method: (1) if dried yellow peas (pattani dal) are available, using half chana dal and half pattani dal soaked and ground together makes it especially tasty. (2) Dried red chili, cumin, asafoetida, and a few shallots can be ground smooth and mixed into the batter -- fennel and drumstick leaves can also be added if you like. (3) Mixing in chopped mint makes a tasty mint vadai. (4) Chopped amaranth or other greens can be added to make a greens vadai.