{"id":"recipe_d4dd7c46b1","slug":"medu-vada","title":"Medu Vada","description":"A classic South Indian breakfast delicacy, Medu Vada are savory, doughnut-shaped fritters made from a fermented black gram batter. They are incredibly crispy on the outside and wonderfully soft and fluffy on the inside, traditionally paired with coconut chutney and hot sambar.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":210,"activeMinutes":30},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 cup Urad Dal (split black gram), rinsed","name":"Urad dal","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"dried","notes":"split or whole skinless black gram","group":"batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2-3 Green Chilies, finely chopped","name":"Green chili","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 inch Ginger, finely chopped","name":"Ginger","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"finely chopped","notes":"fresh root","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 sprig Curry Leaves, chopped","name":"Curry Leaves","quantity":1,"unit":"sprig","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"sprig","form":"chopped","notes":"","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tsp Black Peppercorns, slightly crushed","name":"Black Peppercorn","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"slightly crushed","notes":"","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 pinch Asafoetida (Hing)","name":"Asafoetida","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"powder","notes":"Hing","group":"seasoning","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","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":"","notes":"for deep frying","group":"fry","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Wash the urad dal thoroughly and soak it in plenty of water for 3-4 hours.","group":"Preparation","title":"Wash the urad dal thoroughly","timerMinutes":180,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Drain all the water. Grind the dal to a smooth, thick paste in a grinder or blender. Use very little ice-cold water (1-2 tablespoons) only if necessary to keep the batter thick.","group":"Batter","title":"Drain all the water","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Batter"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Transfer the batter to a bowl. Vigorously whisk the batter in one direction for 5 minutes until it becomes light and airy. To test, drop a small ball of batter in water; it should float.","group":"Batter","title":"Transfer the batter","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Batter"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add chopped green chilies, ginger, curry leaves, crushed peppercorns, salt, and asafoetida. Mix well.","group":"Batter","title":"Add chopped green chilies, ginger, curry leaves, crushed peppercorns, salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Batter"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (177°C). Wet your palms with water. Take a small lemon-sized ball of batter, flatten it slightly, and use your thumb to make a hole in the center.","group":"Frying","title":"Heat oil in a deep pan","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Frying"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Carefully slide the vada into the hot oil. Fry on medium heat until golden brown and crisp on both sides. Drain on paper towels.","group":"Frying","title":"Carefully slide the vada","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Frying"}],"notes":"Ensure the batter is thick and fluffy; if the batter is too thin, the vadas will absorb too much oil. Whisking the batter by hand or with a whisk for 5 minutes is the secret to getting that perfect airy texture.","cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"cookingMethod":["fry"],"equipment":["wet grinder or high-speed blender","deep frying pan (kadai)","slotted spoon","whisk"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":12,"unit":"piece","note":"Makes approximately 12 medium-sized vadas"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The batter can be ground and refrigerated for up to 24 hours, but vadas are best made immediately after whisking and seasoning for maximum fluffiness."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Vadas are best eaten fresh. If leftovers remain, store in an airtight container.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in an air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for 3-5 minutes to regain crispness."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_d4dd7c46b1%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=1abf1e57-2252-4b57-8d46-c0f6032a17d8","imageAlt":"Medu Vada — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["crispy","savory","south indian","medu vada","lentil donut","traditional"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Medu Vada","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T16:54:02.659Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T16:54:02.659Z","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}]}