Parippu Vada (Lentil Fritters)

Ingredients

• Chana dal (split bengal gram/kadala parippu) – 2 C
• Onion – 1, finely chopped
• Green chilli – 3, finely chopped
• Ginger – 2 t, finely chopped
• Curry leaves – 2 sprigs
• Kayam (asafetida) – 1/8 t
• Salt - to taste
• Oil for deep frying

Method

• Wash and soak chana dal in water for 2 hours. 
• Drain the water completely and make sure that the dal is dry.
• Coarse grind the drained dal (do not add water) for a few seconds. Make sure not to grind it to a smooth paste. 
• Add rest of the ingredients except oil to the ground mix and gently mix together. 
• Make small balls with the ground mix.
• Heat oil for deep frying pan on high flame. 
• While the pan gets hot, flatten the balls in your palm.
• When oil is really hot, reduce the flame to low-medium and add the vada/fritter. 
• Fry till the vadas (fritters) become golden brown or if you like it extra crispy, fry till you get a darker shade. 
• Drain excess oil on a tissue paper. 
• Serve hot

Notes: Its always better to flatten the fritters just before you fry it. This will help it from getting broken.