If you love crispy South Indian snacks, then vada is a must-try! Vada is a popular deep-fried fritter made from lentil batter. Traditionally, it is prepared by deep frying the batter in oil, which can be a bit time-consuming and messy. However, you can also make delicious vada using a microwave oven!
Making vada in a microwave oven is a quick and healthier alternative to deep frying. It requires less oil and preserves the crispy texture of the vada. Plus, it saves you the hassle of dealing with hot oil and its disposal.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make vada in a microwave oven:
- Soak urad dal, chana dal, and rice together in water for at least 2 hours.
- Drain the water and grind the soaked dal and rice into a smooth paste. Add water as required to achieve the desired consistency.
- Add finely chopped onions, green chillies, ginger, curry leaves, coriander leaves, and salt to the batter. Mix well.
- Grease a microwave-safe plate with oil or cooking spray. Take small portions of the batter and shape them into vada patties. Place them on the greased plate.
- Microwave the vada patties on high power for 3-5 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Pause and flip the vadas halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
- Once the vada patties are cooked, remove them from the microwave oven and serve hot with coconut chutney or sambar.
So, next time you crave some crispy vada, give this microwave oven method a try. It’s quick, easy, and healthier!
Easy Steps to Make Vada In Microwave Oven
Who doesn’t love crispy, savory vadas? With a microwave oven, you can indulge in this delicious South Indian snack at home, without the hassle of deep-frying. Follow these easy steps to make vadas in a microwave oven.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup urad dal (split and skinned black lentils)
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- A few curry leaves, chopped
- A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Soaking the dal: Rinse the urad dal under running water and soak it in enough water for about 4 hours. Drain the water before using.
- Grinding the batter: In a blender or a food processor, grind the soaked dal into a smooth batter. Add a little water if needed, but make sure not to make it too runny.
- Preparing the vada batter: Transfer the ground batter into a bowl. Add chopped green chilies, grated ginger, chopped onions, curry leaves, asafoetida, and salt. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
- Microwaving the vadas: Take a microwave-safe vada maker or a piping bag with a big nozzle. Fill it with the vada batter. Grease a microwave-safe plate with oil. Squeeze the vada batter onto the plate in a circular motion, starting from the center and moving outwards, to form a vada shape.
- Microwaving process: Place the vada plate in the microwave oven and cook on high power for about 2 minutes. Then, remove the plate from the oven and carefully flip the vadas. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the vadas are golden brown and crispy.
- Serving: Remove the vadas from the microwave oven and serve hot with coconut chutney or sambar.
Note: The cooking time may vary depending on the microwave oven’s wattage, so adjust it accordingly.
Enjoy your homemade vadas with this quick microwave oven recipe!
Gather the Ingredients
Before you start making vada in your microwave oven, gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Urad dal: This is the main ingredient for making vada. Make sure to wash and soak it for at least 4-5 hours before using.
- Green chilies: Finely chop some green chilies to add a spicy kick to the vada.
- Ginger: Grate or finely chop some fresh ginger to enhance the flavor of the vada.
- Curry leaves: These aromatic leaves are an essential ingredient in vada. Tear a few curry leaves into small pieces.
- Onion: Finely chop an onion to add some crunch and sweetness to the vada.
- Coriander leaves: Chop some fresh coriander leaves to add a refreshing taste to the vada.
- Asafoetida: Also known as hing, this spice adds a unique flavor to the vada. Use a pinch of it.
- Salt: Add salt to taste.
- Oil: You’ll need oil for deep frying the vada. Choose an oil with a high smoke point like vegetable oil or canola oil.
Once you have all these ingredients ready, you can proceed to the next steps of making vada in your microwave oven.
Prepare the Vada Batter
Before you can make vada in the microwave oven, you need to prepare the vada batter. Here’s how:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of urad dal (black gram)
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon of chopped ginger
- 1 teaspoon of chopped green chillies
- 1 tablespoon of chopped coriander leaves
Instructions:
- Wash the urad dal thoroughly and soak it in water for about 4-5 hours.
- After soaking, drain the water and grind the urad dal into a smooth paste in a blender or food processor.
- In a mixing bowl, take the ground urad dal paste and add salt, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, chopped ginger, chopped green chillies, and chopped coriander leaves. Mix well until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Cover the batter and let it ferment for about 6-8 hours or overnight in a warm place.
- After fermentation, the vada batter is ready to be used for making vadas in the microwave oven.
Note: The consistency of the vada batter should be thick and fluffy. If it is too thin, the vadas may not hold their shape during cooking.
Cook the Vada in Microwave Oven
To cook the vada in a microwave oven, follow these simple steps:
1. Grease a microwave-safe plate with cooking oil.
2. Take a small portion of the vada dough and shape it into a round ball. Flatten the ball slightly to give it a vada shape.
3. Place the shaped vada onto the greased plate.
4. Repeat the process with the remaining dough, placing the vadas on the plate without overcrowding.
5. Cover the plate with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap.
6. Place the plate with the vadas in the microwave oven.
7. Microwave the vadas on high power for 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
8. Carefully remove the plate from the microwave oven using oven mitts or kitchen gloves, as it will be hot.
9. Allow the vadas to cool slightly before serving.
By following these steps, you can easily cook delicious vadas in a microwave oven. Enjoy your homemade vadas with your favorite chutney or dip!
FAQ
What is vada and how is it traditionally made?
Vada is a popular South Indian snack made from lentil or gram flour. It is traditionally deep-fried to achieve a crispy texture.
Can vada be made in a microwave oven?
Yes, vada can be made in a microwave oven using a special microwave-friendly recipe that avoids deep-frying. This allows for a healthier version of the snack.
What are the advantages of making vada in a microwave oven?
Making vada in a microwave oven has several advantages. It requires less oil compared to deep-frying, making it a healthier option. It also saves time as the preparation and cooking process is quicker. Additionally, the vada still retains a crispy texture when cooked properly.