Kalmi Vadas are crispy, deep-fried lentil fritters, a popular tea-time snack from Rajasthani Cuisine. Made with a coarse batter of soaked chana dal, mixed with chopped onions, spices, and fresh herbs, these fritters are shaped into small logs and fried until golden and crunchy. Kalmi Vadas are a great example of regional recipes that bring out the bold, earthy flavours of Rajasthan. They taste especially good with tamarind chutney and a hot cup of masala chai.
Ingredients
UNITSIngredients
1 cupChana dal (split Bengal gram)
1 mediumOnion
2Green chillies
4Garlic cloves
1 tspGinger
2 tbspCoriander leaves
1/2 tspCumin seeds
1/4 tspRed chilli powder
1 pinchAsafoetida
to tasteSalt
for deep fryingOil
Follow
Directions
Description - Step 1
Soak The Chana Dal
Rinse the chana dal well under running water. Then soak it in enough water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Once soaked, drain the water completely.
Description - Step 2
Grind The Dal Coarsely
In a food processor or mixer-grinder, grind the soaked and drained chana dal coarsely. Don't add any water - the batter should be thick and grainy, not a smooth paste. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
Description - Step 3
Mix In The Other Ingredients
To the ground dal, add the finely chopped onions, green chillies, crushed garlic, grated ginger, chopped coriander leaves, cumin seeds, red chilli powder, asafoetida and salt. Mix everything well. The mixture will be quite thick and sticky.
Description - Step 4
Shape The Vadas
Grease your palms lightly with oil. Take a lemon-sized portion of the dal mixture and shape it into a small log or finger-like vada. Place it on a plate and continue shaping the remaining mixture. You should get around 15 vadas.
Description - Step 5
Fry The Vadas
Heat oil for deep frying in a kadai or wok. Once hot, gently slide in 4-5 vadas at a time. Fry on medium heat, turning occasionally, for about 6–7 minutes per batch or until the vadas are crisp and golden brown all over. Remove using a slotted spoon and drain on absorbent paper. Fry the remaining vadas in batches.
Description - Step 6
Serve Hot
Serve the hot Kalmi Vada immediately with green chutney or tamarind chutney, alongside masala chai. Enjoy the crispy, spicy, satisfying crunch!