Dahi Vada (Dahi Wada) or Dahi Bhalla

Dahi Vada is my family favorite. We just can't get enough of the cool and refreshing vadas that simply melt into your mouth. The sweet and tangy tamarind and date chutney adds to the burst of flavors in the mouth. So today I am sharing the recipe for this amazing dish, that is especially popular around the colorful Holi festival in Northern India just as Puran poli is ever so popularly made for Holi in Maharashtra.

Ingredients: 

For Vadas: Urad dal - 2 cups, Moong dal - 1/2 cup, green chillies - 2-3 (optional), Cumin seeds - 1&1/2 tsp, asofoetida - 1/4th tsp. Salt to taste, Oil for frying.

For Dahi mixture: 5 to 6 cups, yogurt, 1 teaspoon, roasted cumin powder, salt to taste, sugar - adjust as per sourness of dahi or yogurt, Cilantro - for garnish, red chilli powder - to garnish (optional) and some boondi to garnish (optional), Chaat masala (optional) - few sprinkles to garnish and add chatpata taste.

Procedure: Soak Urad dal and moong dal in 8 to 10 cups of warm water for 6-10 hours - preferably overnight. Next morning, drain the dal and add green chilies, cumin seeds, asofoetida, little salt and and blend it until smooth.  The batter should not be too runny. You should be able to form vadas. Add water accordingly while blending. Whisk the batter and set it aside for 30-40 mins in a refrigerator.

Heat enough oil in a pan or a kadhai. Slide the batter balls into the hot oil as per desired size of vadas. Fry them on medium heat till golden brown on both sides to ensure that they are well cooked. Drain them on an absorbent towel and then soak them in water for 1-2 mins. Give them a gentle squeeze and remove the oil and them put them in yogurt mixture.

Procedure to make yogurt/dahi mixture: Take yogurt/dahi in a bowl , add water depending upon the thickness of the dahi you desire to make. Add sugar, cumin powder and salt to taste and whisk well.

Garnish with chopped cilantro, red chilli powder, boondi and chaat masala and serve.

Serve with Tamarind Date chutney. 

Procedure to make chutney: Soak 15-20 dates in warm water for 20 mins, grind with 1 tsp tamarind pulp, 2 tsp jaggery, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1/2 tsp red chilli powder, 1/4th tsp chaat masala and salt to taste.

Enjoy!! Happy Holi to all my friends.Till my next post, take care everyone.