Stuffed Dahivada

Dahivada is essentially a snack from the southern parts of India,but has now ,become one of the top favourites of people all over India. This is very easy to make and yummy to taste.This stuffed dahivada is a deviation from the usual dahivada. I saw this recipe in a tv programme long back. I have made some minor alterations of my own.I will explain how I made it. You can also give it a try.

Ingredients :
For the vada:

• Urad dal (black gram-skinned) : 1 cup
• Ginger paste : 1 tablespoon
• salt: Half teaspoon
• Oil to fry:sunflower /canola or any white oil

For the stuffing :

• Grated coconut : 1 cup
• Raisins:2 tablespoons
• Coarsely ground cashew : 2 tablespoons
• Finely chopped green chillies : 1 teaspoon (Optional)
• 
  
• A piece of clean muslin cloth or a large sized hanky.

 For garnishing :

• Curd : 2 cups
• salt: 1 teaspoon
• Sugar:2teaspoons
• Jeera (cumin) powder : half teaspoon
• Kashmiri chilli powder : a generous pinch
• Chat masala : half teaspoon
• Sweet tamarind chutney : 3 tablespoons

Method :

• Wash and soak the dal for at least 6 hours. 
• Now make a fine paste of it using little or no water.If water is more,it will be difficult to shape the vadas.Mix ginger paste and salt with the batter and keep aside.
• Now make the stuffing--- mix grated coconut,ground cashew and raisins and keep aside. I used a teaspoon of finely chopped green chilli also.It can be omitted,if you prefer it not so spicy.

                                            

• Heat a kadhai or deep pan and put the oil in it to heat.
• Take a plate.Rinse your piece of muslin and spread it over the plate. Do NOT sqeeze the cloth. Take a tablespoon of dal paste and spread it uniformly over the cloth.if needed,add a little more dal paste. Now put 1 teaspoon of the stuffing mixture over it. Now carefully fold the cloth to one side,so as to give its contents a half crescent like shape.Then,turn the whole thing to the other side. Carefully open the fold of the cloth.

                                           

                                        

• Be very careful all this while,otherwise the vadas may tend to break. One important thing is,the piece of cloth has to be really soggy,or else,the dal paste will get stuck to it and it will be difficult to take it out whole.
• Once the oil is hot,reduce flame to medium,take the vadas on your palm and lay them carefully in the hot oil one by one.Fry over medium heat.keep a bowl with water ready at hand. 
• When the vadas are fried on both sides,and are of a nice brown colour,take them out and soak them in the bowl of water. Keep soaked for a few minutes. This makes the vadas softer. Take them out and arrange them in a serving dish.

                                              

• Beat the curd to a smooth texture adding salt and sugar.Pour this over the fried vadas. Sprinkle Jeera powder ,chat masala and chilli powder over it. Add sweet chutney just before serving. Serve cold. 
• Don't forget to let me know how you liked it. :D
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