Vada Koottukari

Ingredients (Serves 5 - 6)

1. Whole urad dal - 1/2 cup (Soak urad dal in enough water for 4 - 5 hrs)

   Crushed pepper corns - 1/2 tsp (Optional) 
   Salt - To taste

   Oil - To deep fry

2. Potato - 2 small, cut into medium cubes

   Onion - 1 small, cut into small cubes

   Green chillies - 2 - 3, slit

   Crushed ginger - 2 tsn

   Curry leaves - 1 sprig

3.Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsn

   Red chilly powder - 3/4 tsn.

   Coriander powder - 2 - 3 tsn

   Garam masala powder - 1 tsn

4. Thin coconut milk - 1.5 - 2 cups

   Thick coconut milk - 1/2 cup

5. Salt - To taste

For the seasoning

1. Coconut oil - 2 tsn

2. Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsn

3. Dry red chillies – cut into two

4. Curry leaves - A few

Method

1) Soak the urad dal for 4 - 5 hrs and drain the water completely. Grind it to a fine paste adding  little water, if required. Heat oil in a deep pan. Add 1/2 tsn crushed pepper corns and enough salt to the batter. Drop small portions of the vada mixture into hot oil. Fry them until golden and drain on to a paper towel.

2) Heat oil in a pan and add onion, green chilly, ginger, curry leaves and little salt. When onion turn light  golden in color, add turmeric powder, chilly powder and coriander powder. Saute until their raw smell is gone. Add cubed potatoes. Mix well and cook for 1 - 2 minutes. Add thin coconut milk and enough salt. Cover and cook until potatoes are done at medium heat. When they are well-cooked, add garam masala powder, thick coconut milk and a few curry leaves. Bring to a slow boil. Add the fried vadas and mix well. Check for salt. Switch off.

This curry tends to thicken over time. Serve with rice, idlis or even chapatis.