Chatpate Dahi Vadas

Dahi Vada or Yogurt Dumpling (sounds funny and absurd) is one of the most common chaats made in any north indian household. I have very fond memories of eating dahi vadas in my friends' birthdays.. it is one of the most ubiquitous items in kids' birthdays other than chhole puri , cake and gulab jamuns. One obvious reason for its popularity is it is very easy to make and store.
Ingredients:

1. Dhania/Coriander/ Cilantro.
2. Tamarind-Date Chutney.
3. Dahi/Yogurt (beaten).
4. Vadas(soak them in normal water when hot).
   
5. 1/2 Teaspoon Red chillies Powder.
6. 1/2 Teaspoon of Toasted Jeera/Cumin seeds powder*.

Assembling:

1. Squeeze water out of 2 vadas into a bowl.
2. Mix yogurt , salt (as per your taste), sugar (as per your taste).
   
3. Add generous amount of yogurt and 2-3 tablespoons of tamarind- date chutney.
4. sprinkle some red chillies powder and jeera powder in the bowl.
5. garnish with dhania.

(*) - take a skillet and heat it . When it is hot, add jeera and toast it till it is golden brown in color. grind it using a pestle or by crushing it with the back of a table spoon.

My Recommendation:
- mix the yogurt, jeera powder, chillies powder, salt , sugar to sort of make yogurt chutney.

Vada

Ingredients:

1. 1 .5 cup Urad dal (split and without husk).
2. salt.
3. black or white pepper powder.
4. 500 gms oil.
5. coriander/ cilantro/dhania leaves.
   

Equipment:

1. Blender.

Method:

1. soak dal in water for about 5-6 hours.
2. separate the soaked dal and water .
3. grind the dal in blender, also add coriander leaves. Add as less water as u can add to get a thick paste.
4. add the salt and pepper powder as per ur taste to the dal paste.
   
5. heat the oil in wok.
   
6. when u see slight smoke coming out the heated oil..then add small portions (golf ball) of this paste into the oil.
7. remove when golden brown in color.