Ingredients:

• 1 cup – Bengal Gram (Chana) Dal
• 1 cup – onion, minced
• 1/2 cup – coriander leaves, minced
• 4 dry Red Chillies
• few curry leaves, finely chopped
• 2 to 3 tbsp – Rice flour
• salt to taste
• oil to fry

Method:

1. Soak the Dal with red chillies for 2 hours. Drain and grind to stiff, coarse paste.
2. Add rest of the ingredients and mix well.
3. Heat oil for deep frying. It should be just moderately hot.
4. Take a piece of plastic sheet and grease it lightly with oil.
5. Place about 3 tbsp of the Vadai mixture on it.
6. Flatten to a disc, about 1/2 cm thick.
7. Transfer it carefully into the oil.
8. Shape 3 or 4 more Vadas and drop into the oil.
9. Fry on moderate heat till the Vadas are cooked and golden brown.
10. Well-made Masala Vada is crisp on outside and soft inside.