Curd Vada

Name: Curd Vada
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: north_indian
Ingredients: 1 cup urad dal (soaked for 6 hours and drained); 1 inch ginger (peeled); 1 pcs green chili (roughly chopped); 0.5 tsp salt (for batter and yogurt); 2 cup oil for deep frying (for frying vadas); 3 cup water (warm, for soaking fried vadas); 3 cup yogurt (thick, whisked until smooth and chilled); 1 tsp sugar (for balancing the yogurt); 1 tsp roasted cumin powder; 1 pinch red chili powder (for garnish); 1 pinch black salt (for garnish); 4 tbsp tamarind chutney (for topping); 2 tbsp cilantro (finely chopped, for garnish)

RATING

4.6/5(115)

TASTE SCORE

9/10

Soft urad dal vadas soaked until tender, then tucked into chilled seasoned yogurt with sweet, tangy, and lightly spiced toppings. It is a classic festive snack that feels cooling, rich, and comforting in every bite.

PREP

25m

COOK

25m

SERVES

1 PIECE

223 cal

SERVINGS

METHOD · 8 STEPS

prep · ~8 min
Grind the dal for the vada batter.
1.Add soaked and drained urad dal to a grinder with ginger, green chili, and 2 tbsp water.
2.Grind to a thick, smooth batter, scraping down the sides as needed.
3.Transfer to a bowl and mix in 0.25 tsp salt.
TIPKeep the batter thick. Thin batter makes flat vadas and they absorb too much oil.
mix · ~4 min
Whip the batter until light.
Beat the batter briskly for 3 to 4 minutes until it looks airy and slightly fluffy. This helps the vadas turn soft inside.
fry · ~15 min
Shape and fry the vadas.
1.Heat oil for deep frying in a kadai over medium heat.
2.Wet your fingers, take a small portion of batter, and gently slide it into the hot oil.
3.Fry 4 to 5 vadas at a time, turning often, until pale golden and cooked through.
4.Lift them out and drain briefly.
TIPDo not fry on high heat. The outside browns too fast while the center stays dense.
rest · ~10 min
Soak the fried vadas in warm water.
Place the hot vadas in warm water and let them soak for 10 minutes so they soften well.
mix · ~3 min
Season the yogurt.
1.Whisk the yogurt until smooth and lump-free.
2.Add sugar, the remaining 0.25 tsp salt, and half of the roasted cumin powder.
3.Mix well until creamy and balanced.
assemble · ~4 min
Squeeze and arrange the vadas.
Lift each soaked vada, gently press between your palms to remove excess water, and place them in a shallow serving dish in a single layer.
TIPPress gently so the vadas keep their shape while still holding enough moisture to stay soft.
assemble · ~3 min
Cover the vadas with yogurt and toppings.
1.Pour the seasoned yogurt all over the vadas so they are well covered.
2.Drizzle tamarind chutney on top.
3.Sprinkle the remaining roasted cumin powder, red chili powder, and black salt.
4.Finish with chopped cilantro.
serve · ~20 min
Chill briefly and serve the curd vada.
Rest the dish in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes before serving so the yogurt settles into the vadas and the flavors come together.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Test the batter by dropping a little into water; if it floats, it is whipped enough for soft vadas.
2
Grind with as little water as possible so the batter stays thick and the vadas hold their shape in oil.
3
Fry only to pale golden, not deep brown, or the vadas will stay chewy after soaking.
4
Use warm, not hot, water for soaking; it softens the vadas without making them fall apart.
5
Squeeze each soaked vada very gently so it keeps its shape but still absorbs the seasoned yogurt well.
6
Chill the whisked yogurt before assembling so the finished curd vada tastes cooling and the topping stays thick.
7
Assemble 15 to 20 minutes before serving for the best texture; too long and the vadas can become overly soft.