CRISpy SAVOURY SNACK
Say hello to your new late-night munchie crush: Sri Lankan Paripu Vadai! These crispy lentil fritters are loaded with spices and curry leaves, making them crunchy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside. They’re super easy to make and even easier to eat
Sure, you can snag Paripu Vadai for cheap at your local Tamil takeout, but trust me, homemade is where it’s at. When you make them at home, you get all the rich flavors and freshness that store-bought versions lack. No more dealing with old oil or dry, stale vadas that have been sitting out too long.
And here’s the best part: you can prep and freeze these bad boys ahead of time! When those snack cravings hit, just cook them up and enjoy. Personally, I love chowing down on these fritters late at night with an ice-cold cocktail. There’s nothing quite like it!
Whether you’re impressing guests or just treating yourself, Paripu Vadai is the savory snack you didn’t know you needed. Enjoy!
tips & tricks
TIP #1: Make sure to soak your chana dhal for a few hours, then let the lentils drain for at least 30 minutes. It’s super important to get rid of all the excess water, because if the lentils are too wet, the Vadai won’t hold their shape when fried.
Paripu Vadai
Ingredients
- 1 cup of chana dhal
- 7-8 curry leaves
- 1 red onion
- 3 red chili
- 1’’ knob of ginger
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground fennel
- 1 ½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Oil for frying
Directions
- Soak dhal for a few hours and drain thoroughly.
- Reserve 1 tbsp of dhal, and blend the remaining in a food process a little bit. Don’t over blend, you want the mixture clumpy and thick.
- Dice curry leaves, red onion, red chili, and ginger. And toss it in with the blended dhal
- Add spices, and form patties. Make sure to start by creating a tight ball and then flatten, ensuring the middle is thicker.
- At this point, you can put them in a tupperware and freeze them to cook them up later.
- When you are ready, deep fry them up for 3-5 mins till golden brown.
- Serve with you favourite chutney and enjoy!
