Vadai Curry

Dive into the bold and comforting flavors of South India with this aromatic Vadai Curry recipe—an irresistible combination of crispy, golden chana dal fritters (vadai) simmered in a rich, spiced coconut-based gravy. Perfectly seasoned with fragrant spices like fennel, garam masala, and coriander, this curry boasts a creamy texture and a burst of flavor from sautéed onions, tomatoes, and a freshly ground coconut paste. The interplay between the tender vadai soaking up the spiced gravy and the curry's vibrant aroma makes it a crowd-pleaser, traditionally served alongside soft idlis, crispy dosas, or steamed rice. Easy to prepare yet packed with layers of taste, Vadai Curry is a must-try for spice lovers and hearty food enthusiasts alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Chana dal (split Bengal gram)
• 2 medium Onion
• 2 medium Tomato
• 3 small Green chilies
• 5 cloves Garlic
• 1 inch Ginger
• 1 sprig Curry leaves
• 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon Fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1.5 teaspoons Coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon Garam masala
• 0.5 cup Coconut (grated)
• 4 tablespoons Cooking oil
• 1 to taste Salt
• 2.5 cups Water

Directions

Step 1

Wash and soak the chana dal in water for 2 hours. Drain excess water.

Step 2

Grind the soaked chana dal coarsely without adding water. Add a pinch of salt and mix well.

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan. Take small portions of the ground dal mixture, flatten slightly, and fry them until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside. These are your vadai.

Step 4

Grind the grated coconut, garlic, ginger, and fennel seeds into a smooth paste. Add a little water if necessary. Set aside.

Step 5

Finely chop the onions, tomatoes, and green chilies.

Step 6

In the same pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then add the curry leaves and green chilies.

Step 7

Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown. Add the tomatoes and cook until they soften.

Step 8

Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala. Sauté until the spices are cooked and aromatic.

Step 9

Add the ground coconut paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously.

Step 10

Add 2 1/2 cups of water and salt to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 11

Crumble some of the fried vadai into smaller pieces and add to the curry. Let the curry simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the vadai to soak up the flavors.

Step 12

Add the remaining whole vadai pieces to the curry and simmer for another 2-3 minutes.

Step 13

Turn off the heat and garnish with fresh curry leaves, if desired. Serve hot with dosa, idli, or steamed rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1389.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1227.5

Total Fat 100.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 43.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4776.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 83.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.9g	0%
Total Sugars 44.0g
Protein 13.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 249.2mg	0%
Iron 9.3mg	0%
Potassium 1750.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.8%

Protein: 4.2%

Carbs: 25.9%