CRISPY VEGETABLE VADA ..

RECIPE:

Ingr:     10 - 12 

Batter to grind:
Urad dal                                     1 cup (150 gm)     
Hing                                            a big pinch
Pepper                                       1/2 tdp
Baking soda                              1/4 tsp
Salt to taste

Veggie mix:
Onions cut lengthwise                2
Gr. chillies finely chopped         4 - 5
Curry leaves  chopped               a sprig
Coriander leaves chopped        a sprig
Carrot finely diced                     1/4 cup
Beans   diced                              1/4 cup
Coconut diced                            1 tbsp                           
Ginger chopped                         1/2 "
Cashew (optional)                     5 - 6

Method:

1. Soak urad dal in water for 1 hour. Drain excess water and put in a mixer.
2. Grind together coarsely all ingr. in 'batter' and keep aside. ( do not add any water for grinding).
3. The batter should be thick and firm in consistency, as shown.
4. Mix in all the veggie mix ingr. and shape into balls. Let them rest for 1/2 an hour.
5. Heat oil for deep frying on medium flame. 
6. Flatten the vadas as shown with a hole in the centre (this cooks the insides better).
7. Deep fry to golden brown on slow fire (otherwise it will brown quickly leaving the inside uncooked).
8. Take out on a tissue to drain excess oil.
9. Serve hot with chutney of choice, sambhar or ketchup.
10. It is a wholesome breakfast or evening snack by itself.

Note:

1. For flattening the vada, can use banana leaf or any clean plastic sheet.
2. Wet the leaf or sheet with water each time; this helps in handling it better without any sticking.
3. I use my palm for shaping by wetting for each vada (keep a bowl of water handy). It is quicker.
4. The batter mix can be refrigerated and used up later or next day also. 
5. This way they turn out crisper and tastier as they tend to soak more of oil !!