Kombdi Vade
A classic Malvani and Konkani specialty! This dish features a spicy, aromatic chicken curry (kombdi rassa) served with fluffy, deep-fried rice flour bread (vade). A true festive meal from the heart of Maharashtra.
For 4 servings
6 steps. 45 minutes total.
- 1
Step 1
- a.Prepare the Vade Dough
- b.Soak urad dal and chana dal in water for at least 2 hours. Drain completely.
- c.Grind the soaked dals into a fine, smooth paste, adding a tiny amount of water only if necessary.
- d.In a large bowl, combine rice flour, besan, the ground dal paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, hing, and salt.
- e.Gradually add warm water and knead to form a soft, pliable dough, similar to chapati dough. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Marinate the Chicken
- b.Clean and wash the chicken pieces thoroughly.
- c.In a bowl, mix the chicken with ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, lemon juice, and salt.
- d.Ensure all pieces are well-coated. Set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Prepare the Malvani Masala Paste (Vatan)
- b.Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan. Add the sliced onions and roast until they turn deep golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- c.In the same pan, dry roast the grated coconut on low heat until it is fragrant and light brown.
- d.Add coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick, ginger, and garlic. Roast for another minute until aromatic.
- e.Let the entire mixture cool down completely.
- f.Grind the roasted onions, coconut, and spice mixture in a grinder to a very smooth paste. Use a little water as needed to help it grind.
- 4
Step 4
- a.Cook the Kombdi Rassa
- b.Heat 3 tbsp of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or pressure cooker.
- c.Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
- d.Add the marinated chicken and sear on high heat for 5-6 minutes until it's lightly browned on all sides.
- e.Lower the heat and add the Malvani masala, red chili powder, and turmeric powder. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the spices are fragrant.
- f.Stir in the ground masala paste (vatan) and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oil starts to separate from the masala.
- g.Add 4 cups of hot water and salt. Mix well and bring the curry to a rolling boil.
- h.Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Alternatively, pressure cook for 3-4 whistles.
- i.Once cooked, garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
- 5
Step 5
- a.Fry the Vade
- b.Heat oil for deep frying in a kadai over medium-high heat.
- c.Take a lemon-sized ball of dough. Place it on a greased plastic sheet or parchment paper and flatten it with your fingers into a 3-4 inch circle.
- d.Carefully slide the vade into the hot oil. Gently press it with a slotted spoon to help it puff up completely.
- e.Fry for 1-2 minutes per side until it's golden brown and crisp.
- f.Remove and drain on paper towels. Repeat for all the remaining dough.
- 6
Step 6
- a.Serve hot Kombdi Vade with the chicken rassa, sliced onions, and lemon wedges.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For softer vades, ensure the dough is kneaded well and is not too stiff.
- 2Roasting the coconut and onions properly is key to the authentic flavor of the Malvani curry.
- 3Fry the vades in medium-hot oil. If the oil is too hot, they will brown quickly but remain raw inside.
- 4The curry (rassa) should have a thin consistency, perfect for dipping the vades.
- 5You can make the vatan (masala paste) in a larger batch and freeze it for later use.
- 6Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the fridge for more flavor.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetarian
Replace chicken with boiled eggs or a mix of vegetables like potatoes and cauliflower to make a vegetarian rassa.
quickQuick
Use a store-bought Malvani masala powder instead of making the vatan from scratch to save time.
gluten freeGluten free
The vades are naturally gluten-free as they are made with rice flour and lentils. Ensure your asafoetida (hing) is certified gluten-free.
healthyHealthy
Instead of deep-frying, you can pan-fry the vades with a little oil until golden brown on both sides for a lower-fat option.
