Lentils or Dals as we call them in Hindi in India are a major source of protein for the vegetarian diets. They are consumed in our daily meals in various forms - Dals, Soups, Dosas, Vadas. Vadas - are fried lentil portions full of spices and flavours.
Let's make a non-fried healthier version of the Vadas using a griddle pan. These taste delicious, are healthy and nutritious. Savour them hot on a rainy day to satiate the fried food cravings. Let's get cooking...!
These Lentil Cake recipe comes in handy when you are craving some fried food but want to stick to healthy food. Also, perfect way to add some nutritious veggies sneakily to the meal.
Ingredients -
1 1/2 Cup - Chana Dal
1/2 Cup - Yellow Moong Dal
1 Cup - Spinach leaves chopped
1 Large Onion - Chopped
1 tbsp - Garlic Paste
1 tbsp - Ginger Paste
4-5 Green Chilies - Chopped/Paste
1 tsp - Jeera
1 tsp - Coriander Seeds(roughly crushed)
1 tsp - Fennel seeds powdered
1/2 tsp - Red Chili powder(optional)
Salt to taste
Ghee to grease the griddle.
Instructions -
Wash and soak both the dals thoroughly for at least 2 hours. Strain the excess water and take out 1 tbsp of whole Chana dal in a small bowl. Now mix both the dals and coarsely blend them together to form a grainy paste consistency.
Pour the paste in a big bowl and add all the dry spices, and 1 tbsp whole chana dal which was kept aside earlier, and mix well. Once the batter is properly mixed, add in the Ginger paste, garlic paste , chili paste and mix well. Lastly add Chopped spinach leaves and onions and stir well again.Adjust salt and spices to your liking.
Now, heat up a griddle pan on medium heat. Once the pan is nice and hot, grease it using some Ghee. Pour a ladleful of batter on a side, and flatten. Keep 1/2 inch distance and Pour a few more cakes until there is no more space on the pan.
Cover and let it simmer for around 5-7 mins. Open and flip with the help of a spatula. Cook on the other side until golden brown and crusty.
They are done when both the sides are golden brown and crusty,serve with dip of your choice and savor these nutritious Lentil cakes.
Pro-Tip : Pour small portions of batter onto the pan and flatten. Cook on Low flame and let them form a crust. Do not add water to the batter, as it will make it runny. Use Ghee to pan fry the Cakes as use of ghee nourishes the body when used in moderation.
We first tasted these flavourful Dal Vadas at a family friends place and instantly loved them. Me and my sister would often request mom to make some for us. To make them healthier she would add loads of green leafy vegetables that are in season and pan fry instead of deep frying them. They taste absolutely delicious.
Get Cooking...!
Make these yum and healthy Griddle Cakes savour them hot with a bowl of chilled curd or chutney of your choice. Or, you spice it up with a curd pour and some chaat masala, chutneys and chopped veggies for a healthy chaat recipe. The crunch of the whole dal and the balance of the spices gives these humble griddle cakes a new dimension.
Good luck!
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