Vaazhaipu vadai

Vadai is a South Indian Spicy snack similar to cutlet.This recipe is for a variety of vadai which is prepared with the florets of the Plantain flower. The local name of the flower is Vaazhaipu. This recipe is for a count of approximately 20 vadai.

Ingredients:

1 Plantain Flower (vaazhaipu)

1/2 cup channa dhal

3 red chillies

1 green chilli

1 medium size onion (chopped)

salt 1 tsp(small)

curry leaves 1 stalk

cinnamon stick (little for flavor)

fennel seeds (soambu) 1 spoon

Oil for deep frying -3 cups (Corn oil/Olive oil/Sunflower oil)

turmeric powder -a pinch

Plain Yoghurt (curd )-2 tsp
Method:

Remove the stalk and the glass like blade from the florets .Add a pinch of turmeric and 2 spoonful of curd to a bowl of water. Soak the florets in this water for 2 hours (minimum to get rid of the bitterness)and drain the water.

Soak the channa dhal in plain water for 1 hour and drain the water.

Keep aside 1 spoon of the soaked channa dhal.Grind the remaining channa dhal with 2 red chillies, 1 spoon fennel seeds , curry leaflets,cinnamon sticks without adding water.

Cut the florets into small pieces.Grind the florets with 1 red chilli and 1 green chilli without adding water.

Mix together the gram dhal paste,1 spoon of the soaked gram dhal and the florets paste with the chopped onion along with salt.

Heat the oil on medium to high flame, for 3 minutes(approx).Make small patties (vadai ) from the mixture. Drop a little amount of the mixture to the oil.If it raises in the oil quickly ,it is hot enough.If it sinks, wait for few more minutes.

When the oil is hot enough, add 4-5 vadai s gently to the oil. Deep fry them to the colour of an almond, drain the excess oil and serve hot. Crispy, hot , spicy vazhaipu vadai is ready !