Chana Dhal Curry Or Vada Curry

Vada Curry
Are you bored of chutney and sambar for idli/dosa? Then why not try some new side dish for the weekend breakfast. Vada Curry is an excellent protein alternative for chutney or sambar. It has almost same taste as of chana dhal vadai but it is not deep fried rather steamed.......

Preparation time: 15 min(excludes chana dhal soaking time)
Cooking time: 25 min
Serving size: 4


Preparation and steaming
Ingredients
  • Chana dhal(soaked for about 2 hrs) - 1 cup
  • Cumin seeds- 1 tsp
  • Fennel seeds - 1 tsp
  • Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Sambar masala (or Chilli-Dhania powder) - 1/2 tsp
  • Bay leaves - 3
  • Cloves - 5
  • Cinnamon - 2 or 3(2 inch sticks)
  • Cardamom - 2 
  • Oil for seasoning
  • Salt to taste
  • Curry leaves
  • Asofeotida (hinge to reduce flatulence)
  • Green chillies - 3 (slit in the middle half way through)
  • Medium sized onion - 1 (chopped in smaller pieces)
  • Ginger - size of thumb(grated)
  • Coriander leaves few (chopped)
Preparation
  1. Soak chana dhal for 2 hrs. To reduce the soaking time to 1 hr, soak it in warm water in a hot-pack.
  2. Grind the chana dhal coarsely.
  3. Add 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp fennel seeds, salt, chopped curry leaves(about 5), 1 pinch of asoefotida and mix.
  4. Make balls with the mix(balls need not be perfect size).   
Cooking

Seasoning and Cooking Vada Curry
  1. Steam the chana dhal balls in idli cooker or idli vessel for 10 -12 min.
  2. Allow it to cool for 5 min and then smash the steamed balls into smaller pieces.
  3. Add oil to a vessel and when warm add green chillies, cloves, cardomom, curry leaves, bay leaf, cinnamon and fennel seeds.
  4. Add the onion and saute it.
  5. Once the onion becomes golden brown add the grated ginger and saute for 30 seconds.
  6. When the aroma of the ginger subsides add the turmeric, sambar masala(chilli-thania powder) and fry for 10 seconds.
  7. Add the smashed chana dhal and salt to taste. Pour 1 cup of water for gravy.
  8. Allow it to boil in low heat until you get desired consistency.
  9. Garnish it with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot Vada Curry with idli or dosa.
Nutritional facts
Vada Curry ready to eat!
Chana dhal is rich in protein and fiber. Refer the "Essential Spices Used in Daily Cooking" for the nutritional facts of the spices used. Coriander is good for cleansing the toxins in the body. Onion and green chillies helps in boosting the immunity of the body. Bay leaf helps in removing the stomach flatulence. Curry leaves help breaking down food more easily.

Try the Vada Curry on any day to make the meal special along with Masala Chai (Spiced Tea).

You may also be interested in these recipes:

Masala Oats - Healthy and Tasty Breakfast

Nutritious Kids Choice Idli Podi

Garbanzo-Spinach Patties



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