Masal Vadai Recipe | Masala Vada | Paruppu Vadai Recipe

Masal Vadai or Masala Vada is a popular south Indian snack that is prepared using Channa dal or yellow split peas. I can proudly say that this Masal Vadai is my signature recipe, I never ever failed with this recipe and even made big batch of Vadas for Birthday Party/Get together events.  I am a big fan for tea kadai Masal vadai more than the Medhu vada. I love this masal vada for snack or as a side dish with Meals & Variety rices too.In my hometown, there are plenty of roadside side shops where you can find Masal vada, Medhu Vada, Bajji, Bonda, Samosa, Onion Pakoda any time of the day particularly during noon and evening time. We lived in the town Agraharam area for three years and the house where we lived was in main commercial street,  which is filled with variety of Grocery Stores, Coffee Bars, Bakery, Tiffin Centers, Small Hotels. We have a favorite snack shop near our house and often we get masal vada, onion pakoda, vazhakkai baji especially during the Autumn/Winter evenings. But my dad do not allow us to get snacks from outside shops so my mom prepares all our favorite snacks at home. But there are some recipes which cannot make it perfectly and one such recipe is, Masal Vadai. Somehow she doesn't get a perfect crispy and tasty masala vada. Also she is not much fond of this vada so she doesn't make it often, I learned the recipe from my Grandmom with all the trick and tips.

For all the special occasions, festival, Padaiyal/virunthu at home I only make this paruppu vadai. Everyone at home love my vada a lot. I have tried this Masal vada with different combinations  with Greens/Keerai, veggies, green peas, chickpeas and with spices and mint flavored vada also.

After, marriage Mr.V and now the kids as well love my masal vada and have cooked it so many times for all our special occasions, get together parties, picnic and often for our tea time snack but, never get a chance to click few pictures to feed my blog. Every time I was in a hurry and convince, myself by saying that this is the most easy and well versed recipe so I can cook specially for blog sometime. And, it never happened until now. But these pictures were taken last March on my little-one's birthday. That time I clicked few pictures of Masal vada and paruppu payasam. I actually wanted to update my old Masal Vada post with new and step wise pictures but, then decided to post it as a new post since at times when I update a post it updated with a new link and the old link remains as an error. So without any further delay will move on to the recipe...

Masal Vadai Recipe

Prep Time: 2 and 1/2 hours  Cook Time : 20-25 minutes

Makes  20-22 vada

Ingredients

1. Yellow split peas  1 cup
2. Chana dal     1/2 cup
3. Fennel seeds   1/2 tbsp and 1 tsp
4. Garlic    1 clove(optional)
5. Green chillies   5-6 no.s
6. Ginger    1"inch piece(finley chopped)
7. Onion   1 medium size(finely chopped)
8. Curry leaves    1 twig(finely chopped)
9. Coriander leaves   6-7 strings(finely chopped) 
10. Salt     as needed
11. Oil    for deep frying.   

Method

• Soak split peas and chana dal together for 2 hrs.
• Then drain them completely and grind to a coarse paste with green chillies, garlic and 1 tbsp fennel seeds using very little water. Spare some soaked dal.

• Transfer the grounded coarse paste to a bowl and add all other items (onions,ginger,curry leaves,coriander leaves,1 tsp fennel seeds and soaked dal ) and Mix them well with enough salt. 

• Heat oil in a deep bottomed vessel ,in medium heat.
• When oil is hot take a small lemon size portion, make a ball and keep it in your palm and press gently by using other palm.

• Now put it gently in the hot oil and deep fry it till becomes golden brown on both the sides.
• That's it..Spicy and Crispy masal vada is ready.
• Serve hot with chutney or payasam. I usually serve it with some warm Paruppu Payasam or Semiya Payasam.

Notes:
Pattani Paruppu/Yellow Spli Peas is the traditional way of making Masal Vada but you can make it with Channa Dal/Kadala Paruppu alone.
You can use dry red chillies instead of green chili.
For more spicy version, along with green chilli, fennel, garlic add 2 clove and 1" small cinnamon piece and grind it.