Think Bangalore. Think Rasam Vada (aka Bonda Rasam). I think that pretty much sums up the experience you would have at most Darshinis (self help restauarants sprinkled liberally all over Bangalore). This is one yummy appetiser / snack that you wouldnt want to miss out on most chilly evenings (not that there is any semblance of chill here, where I live). But sometimes, you need to live out your memories once in a while, and this sprang to my mind while I was busy thinking what to make for a quick snack one evening. In fact, we had this for supper, and it was hearty and filling all at the same time 🙂
So, if you need any excuse to deep fry these beauties and indulge them with a cup of steaming coffee at tea time, you may do so. Its soo versatile, some restaurants there also serve it for breakfast. You can make this immediately after grinding the batter, but I feel its most appropriate to ferment the batter a bit for 1 hour to get best results.
Sending this to Day 2 of Fermented Foods for Blogging Marathon and check out the fellow marathoners here. Lets get to the recipe now
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Prep time - 30 mins
Fry time - 20 mins
Makes - 6 - 8 Bondas / Vadas
Fermentation time - 1 hour
Soaking time - 1 hour
Serving Suggestions : Hot spicy rasam (recipe below)
Difficulty level : Medium
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Ingredients:
For the vada / Bonda:
- Urad Dal - 1 cup (deskinned black gram)
- Salt - ½ tsp
- Oil - to fry
- Pepper - ¼ tsp
- Grated Ginger - ¼ teaspoon (optional)
- Curry leaves - few
- Cumin / Jeera- ½ tsp
- Asafoetida - a generous pinch
For the Rasam:
- Toor Dal / Tur dal - 2 handfuls
- Garlic pods - 2 nos
- Ripe Tomato - 1 no
- Tamarind Pulp - ½ tsp
- Rasam powder - 1 tsp
- Salt - to taste
- Ghee - 1 tsp
- Tempering : Mustard seeds, curry leaves & coriander leaves
Notes :
1) Although the method for Vada is given first here, make the Rasam before you make the vada. That way it can be served almost immediately after frying the vadas/ Bondas.
2) Also, any rasam that gets left over can be slurped up as a nice spicy broth.
3) If you are out of Rasam powder, dry roast 3 red chillies, 1 teaspoon of coriander seeds, ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds, 2 pepper corns. Roast, cool and powder. Then use this whole quantity for the indicated rasam proportion
Method:
(1) For the Vada:
Soak Urad Dal for 1 hour. Drain and grind to a smooth paste without adding too much water. Add the rest of the ingredients except salt and cover and keep for 1 hour. After 1 hour, add salt and mix well.
Heat oil for frying on medium heat. Drop a small droplet of the batter to see if it sizzles up to the top immediately without getting too browned. This is the perfect temperature.
Wet your fingers slightly and take a handful of this thick batter in your hands. Roll it in your palms up and down till you get a ball like shape.
Roll this gently into the heated oil and fry evenly on all sides till you get an evenly golden ball.
Drain on paper towels.
Repeat for rest of the dough and reserve on paper napkins.
(2) For the Rasam:
Soak and cook Toor dal with 2 cups of water for 3 whistles.
Blanch the tomatoes for 3 mins. Deskin, deseed and puree them. Keep aside.
In a large kadai, add the cooked toor Dal, tamarind pulp, tomato puree, rasam powder, salt and bring to a boil.
Chop and fry garlic pods in half a teaspoon of ghee till golden brown and add to the simmering rasam.
Check for spices and salt.
Now make tempering with ghee, mustard seeds, curry leaves and coriander leaves and pour to the simmering rasam.
To serve:
Dip the fried Bondas / Vadas in a bowl of rasam. Let them steep in for 3 - 4 mins.
Serve hot.
MySpicyKitchen says
Mouthwatering rasam vada and I can eat it anytime of the day
The Pumpkin Farm says
looks beautiful...we eat this often at tunga in andheri....it never made me feel guilty of eating breakfast out...but i do want to make it at home some day...just that i prefer it for b/f and think it is too much task for early morning. But i will bookmark this recipe and make one day for sure
chef and her kitchen says
I also love this one...love 2 sip in the hot rasam while eating those yummy vadas.if I think abt bangalore..I bcum nostalgic abt so many things dear..
Lavanya says
Looks delicious 🙂
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Aruna Manikandan says
rasam vadai looks wonderful 🙂
Gayathri NG says
yummy vadai and i usually have like this...
Spicy-Aroma says
looks so tempting..wonderful recipe!!
Spicy-Aroma
Priya dharshini says
I luv to slurp the rasam in no time...yummy dish
Priya Suresh says
I dont mind to invite myself to ur place to enjoy these super tempting dish..simply loving it..
anjana says
yummy vadas and tempting rasam ..loved the combo..tempting recipe and clicks..
Shobha says
Yummy and mouthwatering vadas with tangy & spicy rasam.
Srivalli says
Very nice Kalyani, though Rasa vada is not that common to order in most places in madras..
Mythreyi says
Sounds Yum, I didn't get a chance to visit Darshni's here in BLR, but i heard Rasam Idli also famous in Karnataka.
-Mythreyi
Yum! Yum! Yum!
Chef Mireille says
these look so delicious..this is one recipe I definitely want to make!
Mireille
Archana says
Hmm must have this next time i visit Bangalore. Yummy
Spice up the Curry says
this is looking so great and delicious.
Harini R says
I personally love this combo! good one.
PrathibhaSreejith says
awesome rasa vadas super tempting 🙂
Archana Vivek says
Looks beautiful. I had this last time i visited Bangalore. I just loved it.
Jayashree says
Does this go by the name of bonda soup here, Kalyani?
Bangalore is unusually hot this year, but I can see how some of this rasa vada would be perfect for a cold evening.
Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen says
We tasted this recently in a south-Indian Eatout here. Was awesome!!! Vada Soaked in Hot Rasam, very tempting!!!!
vidhas says
Yummy vadas soaked in rasam. Inviting pictures
preeti garg says
awesome....completely mouthwatering
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Rajani S says
I love these, though I never deep fry anything at home. I just dont know how to :)))
Lovely vadas 🙂
FewMinute Wonders says
Looks very delicious.
Unknown says
that is a super tiffin treat! Looking good 🙂
divyagcp says
Delicious Rasa Vadas.. Very appetising..
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vaishali sabnani says
Stunning!!..they are my fav...Kalyani lets make a deal...how abt u cooking these for me..n I cooking a thaali for u?
Gayathri Kumar says
Rasam vadas look absolutely delicious...
Aarthi says
rasa vadai looks so mouthwatering...amma makes this often
Padmajha says
Rasa vadai and coffee!!Wow I would call it heaven...
cfp123 says
Heaven in a few simple bites
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Myvegfare says
This is making me nostalgic, reminding me of bangalore & the darshinis, love this so much, beautiful clicks
Rasi says
Being in blore for so many years.. how did i miss this out.. We do it at home though & love it..
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Suma Gandlur says
Droolworthy rasam vadas.