Masala Vada

Masala vadas are fried balls of Indian dough, similar to doughnuts or dumplings. They are typically made from legumes or potatoes, and eaten for breakfast or as a midday snack. The ingredients make them great for vegetarians and vegans, or people on meat restricted diets. This dish combines the vada with masala, to give you a traditional street food taste. Take some with you, and eat them for lunch or share them with your coworkers. Simply, pack them in an insulated lunchbox or insulated storage containers and they’ll stay fresh and warm for hours.

Health Benefits

Vadas on their own aren’t the healthiest snack in the world. But their health benefits and nutrients are remarkably improved by the addition of the masala. The spices used to make the masala promote gum health through the calcium and omega 6 acids present in them. They also have anti-ageing properties that can reduce frown and worry lines, and remove dark spots. Sprinkling a little masala on your vada also provides essential antioxidants.

Ingredients

cup chana dal—soaked for an hour and a half: 1

inch cinnamon stick: 1

salt as needed

red chilis: 1

tsp cumin seeds: 3/4

tsp fennel seeds: 3/4

finely chopped onion: 1

A handful of mint leaves

A handful of curry leaves

tsp ginger garlic paste: 1 1/4

green chilies--chopped: 2

A pinch of turmeric powder

Oil for deep-frying

How To Make Masala Vada

1. Use a mortar and pestle to make a coarse mixture of cinnamon, red chilis, cumin seeds and fennel seeds.
2. Mildly crumble soaked dal with salt, and add mint, curry leaves, onion, prepared spice mixture, green chilies, and ginger garlic paste. Combine well. Dive the mixture into small portions and shape each portion into slightly flat discs.
3. Deep fry each disc until crispy and golden.
4. Transfer to paper towels to remove excess oil
5. Enjoy with chutneys and ketchup!

Trivia

1. Cinnamon was one of the first known spices. The Romans believed Cinnamon's fragrance sacred and burned it at funerals. It was used in ancient Egypt 5,000 years ago and is mentioned numerous time in the Old Testament of the Bible.
2. Because Cinnamon was one of the first spices sought in the 15th Century European explorations, some say it indirectly led to the discovery of America.