{"id":"recipe_7a8fc81bb8","slug":"masala-vada-spicy-lentil-fritters","title":"Masala Vada (Spicy Lentil Fritters)","description":"A popular South Indian crunchy snack made from coarsely ground chana dal, flavored with fennel seeds, ginger, and fresh curry leaves.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":140,"activeMinutes":35},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 cup Chana Dal (Bengal Gram)","name":"Chana dal","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"dried","notes":"Bengal gram","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 medium onion, finely chopped","name":"Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"red onion preferred","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 inch piece of ginger, finely chopped","name":"Ginger","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"1 inch piece","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2-3 green chilies, chopped","name":"Green chili","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"adjust to spice preference","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 sprigs curry leaves, chopped","name":"Curry Leaves","quantity":2,"unit":"sprig","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"sprig","form":"chopped","notes":"fresh leaves","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tsp fennel seeds","name":"Fennel Seeds","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"whole","notes":"Perumjeerakam","group":"spice","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"to taste","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"Oil for deep frying","name":"Oil","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"for deep frying","group":"cooking_fat","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Wash the chana dal (200 g) thoroughly and soak it in water for at least 2 hours.","group":"Preparation","title":"Wash the chana dal thoroughly","timerMinutes":120,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Drain the water completely from the dal. Reserve 2 tablespoons of whole soaked dal and keep it aside.","group":"Preparation","title":"Drain the water completely from the dal","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Place the remaining dal in a blender or food processor. Pulse a few times to get a coarse mixture. Do not add any water.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place the remaining dal","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"In a large mixing bowl, combine the coarsely ground dal, the reserved whole dal, chopped onion, ginger, green chilies, curry leaves, fennel seeds, and salt. Mix well until combined.","group":"Mixing","title":"Combine the coarsely ground dal, the reserved whole dal, chopped onion","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Mixing"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Heat oil (500 ml) in a deep pan to 350°F (177°C). Take a small portion of the mixture and shape it into a ball, then flatten it between your palms to form a patty.","group":"Frying","title":"Heat oil in a deep pan","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Frying"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Carefully slide the patties into the hot oil. Fry on medium heat until both sides are golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.","group":"Frying","title":"Carefully slide the patties","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Frying"}],"notes":"Ensure the dal is drained thoroughly before grinding to prevent the batter from becoming too watery. For the best crunch, do not grind the dal into a fine paste; it should be coarse with some whole lentils visible.","cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian","Kerala","Tamil Nadu"]},"course":["appetizer","snack"],"cookingMethod":["fry"],"equipment":["blender","mixing bowl","deep frying pan","slotted spoon"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","high_protein"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":15,"unit":"piece","note":"Makes approximately 15 medium-sized vadas"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"You can prepare the batter up to 4 hours in advance and keep it refrigerated. Do not add salt until just before frying to prevent the onion from releasing water."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftover vadas in an airtight container. Reheat in an air fryer or oven to maintain crispness.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat at 350°F (177°C) for 5 minutes in an oven or air fryer."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7a8fc81bb8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=119a7e38-584a-4305-83f2-435021f46e72","imageAlt":"Masala Vada (Spicy Lentil Fritters) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["crunchy","spicy","vegan","gluten-free","indian-street-food","tea-time-snack"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Masala Vada (Spicy Lentil Fritters)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T17:32:58.933Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T17:32:58.933Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_e97296ffc2","slug":"bhelpuri","title":"Bhelpuri","description":"A classic Mumbai street food snack made with puffed rice, crunchy sev, fresh vegetables, and tangy chutneys. It's the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and sour flavors.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Maharashtrian","Gujarati"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_e97296ffc2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=64a49cd8-ef8c-4553-86ae-d4a65348bc58","imageAlt":"Bhelpuri — recipe cover","tags":["bhelpuri","indian street food","tangy","spicy","chaat","vegan snack"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":12,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_862bb39354","slug":"dahi-ki-chutney-yogurt-chutney","title":"Dahi Ki Chutney (Yogurt Chutney)","description":"A refreshing, creamy, and vibrant Indian condiment made with thick yogurt, fresh coriander, and mint. It is the perfect accompaniment for biryanis, kebabs, and fried snacks.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["North Indian"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","low_carb","high_protein","nut_free","egg_free","soy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_862bb39354%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ccc9398c-15ac-4da8-9935-a0965971648e","imageAlt":"Dahi Ki Chutney (Yogurt Chutney) — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","refreshing","dip","green chutney","indian condiment","easy recipe"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":4},{"id":"recipe_9512441a77","slug":"dahi-puri","title":"Dahi Puri","description":"A quintessential Indian street food snack featuring crispy hollow puris filled with spiced potatoes and chickpeas, drizzled with sweet and tangy chutneys, and smothered in chilled, seasoned yogurt.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["North Indian","Maharashtrian"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_9512441a77%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b761a136-9eee-4a45-a4e9-b081719c3cad","imageAlt":"Dahi Puri — recipe cover","tags":["chaat","street food","tangy","sweet","spicy","indian","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":11,"stepCount":7}]}