Uzhunnu vada

INGREDIENTS
Urad dal- 1 cup
Onion- 1(cut into small pieces)
Green chillies- 3 (Cut into small pieces)
Peppercorn- 1 tsp
Ginger - 1 1/2" (finely chopped)
Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves- 1 sprig (finely chopped)
Oil to deep fry
Salt to taste

DIRECTIONS
1. Soak Urad dal in water for an hour.
2. Grind the dal with very little water. It should be a thick batter. Try using a food processor or a coffee grinder.
3. Add the green chillies, ginger, asafoetida, curry leaves and salt.
4. Mix well and circulate the batter in an upward motion using your hand. This allows air to be incorporated into the batter. This makes the vadas soft and fluffy.
5. Now add the onions and the peppercorns.
6. Heat oil in a kadai or a pan.
7. Now wet your left palm and put a spoonful of the mix on your palm. Make a hole in the center. Carefully put into the frying pan.
8. Fry till golden brown and serve hot with chutney or sambar.