Perfect Medu Vada | Crispy & Fluffy South Indian Delight

🔥 Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside – that’s the magic of perfect Medu Vada!

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Ingredients

• 1 cup urad dal
• Salt to taste
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• 1-inch piece ginger, finely chopped
• 2-3 green chillies, finely chopped
• Few curry leaves, finely chopped
• Water as needed for grinding
• Oil for deep frying

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

Prepare the Dal

1️⃣ Wash and clean the urad dal thoroughly.
2️⃣ Soak in water for 1 to 1.5 hours.
3️⃣ Drain water completely and rinse once more.

Grind the Batter

1️⃣ Grind soaked dal to a thick, fluffy batter using minimal water.
2️⃣ Scrape the sides and grind evenly.
3️⃣ Add salt at the end for best texture.
4️⃣ Transfer to a mixing bowl.

Add Aromatics

1️⃣ Mix in asafoetida, ginger, green chillies, and curry leaves.
2️⃣ Wet your hands slightly to mix the batter without sticking.
3️⃣ The batter should be thick enough to hold shape.

Prepare to Fry

1️⃣ Heat oil in a deep pan or kadai.
2️⃣ Wet the banana leaf or small plate.
3️⃣ Keep a bowl of water nearby for shaping.

Shape the Vadas

1️⃣ Wet your hand, take a small portion of batter.
2️⃣ Flatten it gently on the wet plate.
3️⃣ Make a hole in the center.
4️⃣ Transfer to your palm and gently slide into hot oil.

Fry to Perfection

1️⃣ Fry on medium-high heat only.
2️⃣ Flip often for even browning.
3️⃣ Fry until both sides are golden and crispy.
4️⃣ Drain on paper towels.

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📝 Pro Tips

⭐ Batter should be thick and fluffy, not runny
⭐ Add salt at the end (while grinding) to avoid watery batter
⭐ Use wet hands and plate for easy shaping
⭐ Fry on medium-high heat only — low heat makes them oily
⭐ Don’t overcrowd the oil while frying

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🌟 Health Benefits

• High protein from urad dal
• Good source of calcium and magnesium
• Complex carbs for sustained energy
• Rich in B-vitamins for brain and nerve health
• Naturally gluten-free
• Contains antioxidants from spices

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Serve hot with coconut chutney
• Enjoy with tomato chutney or tangy sambar
• Pair with filter coffee for an authentic South Indian breakfast
• A classic dish for festivals, weddings, and special poojas
• Add to sambar or rasam as a side in traditional meals

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💫 Master the art of Medu Vada — where simple ingredients create extraordinary memories!

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Video Tutorial