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Looking for a spicy breakfast option and out of the ordinary? Why not try making Medu Vada, a crispy South Indian snack that goes by various names such as Samabar Vadai, Ulundu Vadai, and Uddin Vada? While the recipe is straightforward, there are a few tricks to getting the perfect crispy and fluffy texture. So, step out of your breakfast routine and try this exciting recipe!
What is a Medu Vada?
Medu Vada, a well-known snack or breakfast item in South Indian and Sri Lankan Tamil cuisines, is a savory delight that's enjoyed by many. This dish is made by soaking and grinding urad dal (black gram) with ginger, green chili, fresh coconut, curry leaves, and spices. To savour its delicious flavor, the vada is usually dipped in hot sambhar and served with coconut chutney. With its unique blend of ingredients and flavorful accompaniments, Medu Vada is a must-try for anyone looking to explore the rich culinary traditions of South India and Sri Lankan Tamil cuisines.
How to make Medu Vada in Oven Toaster Grills?
Before getting into the recipe steps, first, we will look into the ingredients needed for medu vada recipe.
Following are the ingredients required to make Medu Vada in Oven Toaster grills:
- One cup Urad dal (split black gram)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper powder
- Two tbsp coriander leaves (finely chopped)
- Salt as per taste
- Two tbsp chopped or grated coconut (fresh or frozen)
- Two teaspoons of rice flour
- A pinch of Asafoetida
- One-two green chilly (finely chopped)
- Six- Seven curry leaves (finely chopped)
- One tbsp ginger (finely chopped)
- Oil
- Two-three tbsp water (or as required for grinding)
- Recipe for making Medu Vada in Oven Toaster Grills
Proceed to make Medu Vada with these steps:
- Wash split urad dal with water and let it soak in enough water for about 3-4 hours or overnight.
- Grind the dal in a mixer grinder to a smooth batter. It should look white and fluffy. Add 1-2 tablespoons of cold water if required. Be careful while adding water. The batter should maintain its thickness and must not become thin. Start by adding a minimal amount first and then more.
- Pour the mixture into a large bowl or pan. To make it fluffy, aerate the mixture by mixing it with your hands for 1-2 minutes.
- Check the lightness of the batter by dropping a small amount of it in a bowl filled with water. If it floats, the batter is light and perfect for making vada. In the batter, add fresh or frozen coconut, asafoetida, finely chopped ginger, black pepper powder, green chilly, finely chopped curry leaves, and chopped coriander leaves.
- Add two tablespoons white flour and salt as per taste in this mixture. Rice flour makes the vadas crispier, and you can also add veggies like an onion to its flavor.
- Mix all these ingredients so that the spices mix in the batter
- Heat the oven to 450 degrees.
- Apply water on both your hands, take some batter, and make it a round shape. Then, make a hole in the center by dipping your index finger.
- Give the medu vada its doughnut shape using a spoon and use the knife to separate it from the ladle.
- Spread the vadas in a single layer on a large spread baking sheet. If the vadas turn golden, gently turn them with a spoon, and continue cooking.
- Place the vadas in a preheated oven rack, ensuring the oven grill is close to the top element. Bake both sides till it becomes golden brown. Keep three to four vadas at a time. Remove the vadas and spread them on a kitchen towel. Follow this process for the rest of the vadas in the same manner.
For Coconut chutney:
Add grated coconut, roasted chana dal, green chili, salt to taste, cumin seeds, curry leaves, and ginger in a bowl and grind them in a mixer till it becomes a smooth paste. Add water to make it thinner.
Serve the vadas with this spicy coconut chutney.
Tips for making Medu Vada in Oven Toaster Grills
To prefer baking instead of frying is better since baking does not add additional calories and fats to the food you cook, whereas adding oil in frying adds to the calorie content.
Ensure to use gram flour which absorbs less oil 4.52% as compared to refined wheat flour, which absorbs more oil
While the recipe may seem simple, getting the perfect crispy and fluffy texture can be tricky. But with the abovementioned tips and practice, you'll be able to master the art of making Medu Vada at home. So, do try it and share the recipe with your loved ones if you like it. Happy Dining!