It seems like only yesterday when my first taste for fried Dal Vada (or Paruppu Vadai) started... It's STILL my comfort food, especially for festive occasions, when I love to dunk some vadas in piping rasam or bite into the crusty heavenly stuff just out of the frying pan.
One more secret I will let into is, I love dipping these fried vadas into Semiya Payasam (Sevai Kheer), however eclectic the combo it may seem .And while I did that, my sis wondered if I had gone bonkers (perhaps you as a reader would also have raised eyebrows, reading this now !! - but the combo needs to experienced to savour the spicy hot - sweet taste)... However, time passed and my ever expanding waistline started telling me I need to look for healthy alternatives to this deep fried delight, and so comes today's recipe - the steamed Dal Vada.
Like the fried version of Dal Vada, I was introduced to the Steamed Dal Wada (presented today) whenever amma made Paruppu Usli( esp with Kothavarangai / beans). She used to make these lentil cakes (with finely ground lentils) that was hot, spicy, steamed and oil free! How much more healthy can it get ? Your protein intake for the day is quite taken care of by this. I usually also like to re-steam the leftovers and enjoy it the next day with hot piping Milagu Rasam and hot rice. Or drop them in a simmering kuzhambu (tamarind-veggie gravy) for an easy version of Paruppu Urundai Kozhambu ! Slurp. Another popular steamed snack that we enjoy as a family is this Brown Rice Corn Dhokla (recipe link below)
So, to make things easy, I made this for an evening snack last week, and we enjoyed it quite a bit.I ground the dal coarsely and the mixture of dals was an experience worth writing about.
Other Low cal/ Low fat Steamed snacks you may like on the blog...
Prep time – 20 mins + 2 hours soaking time Cooking time – 20 mins ; Serves – 3
Cuisine - South Indian , Course - Snack / starter
Ingredients:
- Mixed Dal – 1 ¾ cups (See notes for more info)
- Red Chillies – 4 or 5 (less spicy variety)
- Green chillies – 1 or 2 (adjust spice)
- Hing / Asafoetida – a generous pinch
- Turmeric – ½ tsp
- Coriander / Cilantro & Curry leaves – a nice huge handful
- Salt – to taste
Notes:
The following dals were added. These are approximate measurements (and proportion). Vary them according to the taste: Toor dal – 1 cup, Channa Dal – ¼ cup, Whole Urad (without skin) – ¼ cup, Moong Dal (split green gram) – ¼ cup.
Method:
- Mix and wash the lentils. Soak for 2 hours in warm water along with the red chillies.
- After 2 hours, drain water thoroughly. Pulse them just once (for less than 20 seconds intervals) along with the red chillies.
- Drain to a large bowl. Add chopped green chillies (I de-seed them), turmeric, hing, salt, chopped coriander and cilantro leaves and mix well to a wet (but not runny batter).
- Check salt as dals tend to absorb salt only later – so if it seems like a little less right now when you taste, the better.
- Line an idli cooker (or steamer) with adequate water.Lightly grease the plates used for steaming. Divide the batter into equal portions and with slightly wet hands, pat them into small vadai (or flat patties).
- Place them in the steamer (in batches) without the vadais touching each other.
- Steam for 10 -12 mins on medium-high flame. Repeat till you exhaust the batter. You should get about 18 – 20 medium sized servings.
- Serve hot with a dollop of ghee or any spicy coconut chutney / tomato ketchup (for kids).
Unknown says
Very healthy and nice!!!!
Vardhini says
Tempting vadas Kalyani.
Vardhini
Event: Kid's Delight
Sangeetha Nambi says
Nutritious and healthy one...
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meena says
this is very nice and healthy version
Kavi says
yum, that's definitely healthy!!!
anjana says
Healthy and delicious..love to try this soon!
Priya Suresh says
Fabulous guilt free vadas.
Unknown says
yummm yummm these fritters dont look like they are steamed at all Kal. they look as good as fried and moong dal in fritters s something i m yet to try
Chef Mireille says
healthy vadai and they don't look it, which is fab - that payasam combo sounds interesting too!
Anu says
I liked the colour of the vada..looks yummy..
Gayathri NG says
crispy n yummy vada...
Srivalli says
That's really wonderful..the vadas will be soft right..I remember making like this for the usili..maybe for indulgence we can pan fry it?
Spice up the Curry says
looks very delicious. awesome recipe
Unknown says
wow very healthy...luv the steamed version
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Archana says
The vadas look delicious.
As for your taste abt dipping vadas in kheer you will find company with my hubby. His latest is "Mandgi" and Tomaro saar.
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divyagcp says
A great healthy alternative to the deep fried version.Looks delicious..
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The Pumpkin Farm says
life saving recipe Kalyani....steaming vadas....mind blowing..will def try and let u know
Rajani says
It can't get better than this. Steamed vada looks so delish
Padmajha says
I do that too,Vada and payasam are like a match made in heaven.Your version is really nice 🙂
Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen says
Looks yum!!! mention of parupu-usli i feel like having some now!!!!
Sangeetha M says
i too love eating this steamed vada/dumplings...looks too tempting!!
Very healthy n nutritious snack!!
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Jayanthi says
Lovely recipe Kalyani, we need healthier version and I'm all ears looking for such alternatives. Looks super yum!!!
vaishali sabnani says
these r welcome...n they look really delicious wonderful option to avoid that fat!
Cool Lassi(e) says
Healthy Vadai!
Harini R says
Sounds interesting. I pan fried and baked but never steamed these 🙂
DV says
Wow! These vadais r so healthy!