A mirchi vada unlike any you have had so far. Strips or pattis made with a khasta dough, that layer by layer encases the stuffed chillies and then deep fried to golden yummy goodness. Serve these vadas as a snack or even as a starter.
Recipe
Serves 4 · Prep 30m · Cook 30m
Ingredients
6-8 long bhavnagri chillies
1½ cups refined flour (maida)
Salt to taste
½ teaspoon carom seeds (ajwain)
2 tablespoons melted ghee
Oil for deep frying
Tomato ketchup to serve
Stuffing
1 cup split Bengal gram (chana dal)
2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
¼ teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
10-12 curry leaves
5-6 garlic cloves, vertically sliced
2-3 green chillies, slit and halved
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
½ teaspoon red chilli powder
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander leaves
Cornflour slurry as required
Method
Take refined flour in a large bowl, add salt, carom seeds and melted ghee, mix and rub between your fingertips till the mixture resembles breadcrumb consistency. Add ½ cup water, mix and knead to a stiff dough. Cover with a damp muslin cloth and set aside for 10-15 minutes.
To make the stuffing, dry roast Bengal gram in a non-stick pan till golden brown. Take the pan off the heat and allow to cool slightly. Transfer into a grinder jar and grind to a coarse powder.
Heat oil in a non-stick pan, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds and mix well. Add asafoetida, curry leaves, garlic and green chillies, mix and sauté for 1 minute.
Add turmeric powder and red chilli powder and mix well. Add the ground gram powder and mix well. Stir continuously till the mixture turns golden brown.
Add 3 cups water and mix. Add salt, mix, cover and cook for 10-12 minutes stirring every few minutes.
Add coriander leaves and mix well. Take the pan off the heat, spread the mixture on a plate and allow to cool.
Make a vertical slit on each chilli and discard the seeds. Stuff each chilli generously with the stuffing.
Dust the worktop with some refined flour, take a portion of the dough and shape it into a ball. Place it on the worktop and roll it into thin disc. Trim the sides to make a square and cut the square into strips. Wrap the green chillies with the strips and secure it with slurry.
Heat sufficient oil in a kadai. Gently slide in wrapped green chillies, a few at a time, and deep-fry on medium heat till golden brown and crisp. Drain on absorbent paper.
Arrange on a serving plate and serve hot with tomato ketchup.