The Moong Dal Vada recipe to make in a healthier way with the same delicious taste we crave for. I have used a seasoned cast iron takoyaki plate to shallow fry instead of deep-frying. This proposed method makes this appetizer much better on the health chart. Also shown below are several variations on how you may serve these with different accompaniments.
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Making Dal Vada (Lentil Fritters) Healthier
However, traditionally these fritters are deep-fried and all the above nutritional benefits are lost during the frying process. Fried food, as everybody knows, leads to clogged arteries which in turn lead to strokes, Alzheimer’s, and other serious health issues. Below is an attempt to make low-fat Green Gram Lentils (Chilka Moong Dal) Fritters but with the same authentic taste.
The Health Benefits of the Main Ingredient for Moong Dal Vada
Green Gram Lentils (Chilka Moong Dal) have a lot of nutritional benefits. They are a good source of protein, high in dietary fiber, and low in calories. It has a low GI (glycemic index), which makes it good for people with diabetes. These lentils are also easy to digest making them an attractive option for people with a sensitive stomach.
Different Ways of Serving Moong Dal Vada or Lentill Fritters
Moong dal vada can be served in many different ways. Depending on the season, location, and mood you may see them served with different accompaniments and in different forms. Here I have shown to of my most often used ways of serving moong dal vadas.
Variation 1: Plain Fritters Topped with Yoghurt and Tamarind Chutney
This particular version is not vegan due to the use of yogurt. Soak the fritters in salted warm water for 15 minutes and then squeeze all the water out from each fritter. Now, either dip the soaked fritters in yogurt or just top with yogurt on the plate. Sprinkle some roasted cumin-powered, black chili powder and salt on top. Serve with mint cilantro and tamarind dip (green chutney and saunth).
Variation 2: Modified or Plain Fritters served as a savory and tangy snack (chaat - Ram Laddu)
'Ram Ladoo' is very famous street food in northern India. The flavors of radish and green gram (moong) lentil fritters complement each other very well!
If you are planning to use this variation, you can either use plain fritters as described above or add green onions and radish to the batter mix before making a fritter. This will further enhance the flavor of the fritters and at the same time increase nutritional benefits. Radishes are rich in folate, fiber, riboflavin, and potassium. They are also a good source of copper, vitamin B6, magnesium, manganese, and calcium.
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Mix the fritters in a bowl with some grated radish, green mango, mint cilantro chutney, chopped cilantro, chopped fresh mint, and lemon juice.
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Your savory and tangy snack 'Ram-Laddu' is ready.
Let us know which variation you liked most...
Recipe
Moong Dal Vada (Lentil Fritters) - Low Fat Ebelskiver Pan Version
Ingredients
- 2 cups Green gram lentils Chilka Mung Dal
- 5 g Green chilies 4 to 5 chopped
- 25 g Ginger 2 inch piece chopped finely
- 15 g Cilantro handful chopped finely
- 75 g Radish Diakon - 1 cup grated - optional
- 50 g Green Onions 1 cup chopped - optional
Spices
- 1 teaspoon Salt as per your taste
- ½ teaspoon Red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon Fennel seeds crushed - optional
- ⅛ teaspoon Asafetida 1 generous pinch crushed (Do not add for gluten free version)
Instructions
- Green Gram Lentil Preparation - Wash and soak the lentils for two hours.2 cups Green gram lentils
- Then strain it and blend in in a blender.
- Transfer the batter into a mixing bowl and add green chilies, ginger, cilantro and spices (salt, red chili flakes, cumin seeds and asafoetida).5 g Green chilies, 15 g Cilantro, 1 teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Red chili flakes, 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon Fennel seeds, ⅛ teaspoon Asafetida, 25 g Ginger
- If you are making fritters for Ram Ladoo, then add the optional ingredients; radish daikon and green onions.75 g Radish, 50 g Green Onions
- Mix it rigorously to make it uniform.
- Heat the seasoned cast iron takoyaki plate on medium heat and brush each cavity with oil.
- Now pour the batter in each of the cavities and flip it after few minutes when bottom side is brown.
- If the pan is seasoned properly then the batter won't stick to the pan and fritters should easily flip with just a stick.
- After removing from the pan, let the fritters rest on mesh to keep the crispy while they cool a little bit.
- Your fritters are now ready.
Notes
- If you want you can use the skinned lentils also, but I prefer to use lentils with skin for their nutritional benefits.
- Here, I have used a seasoned cast iron takoyaki plate in place of appe pan.
Rini says
Loved u idea of making ram ladoo as appam .
Rupali Agarwal says
I love my appe pan. Now I don’t have to heat up Kadahi full of oil to enjoy different dishes.
Imon says
Hi,
Did you add any water while blending the Moong daal? I have a Vitamix and was wondering if blending without water will make it hard to get a smooth batter or take it out later?
Thanks.
Rupali Agarwal says
Yes, you would need little water to facilitate the grinding, but I try to keep it as minimum as possible. So I only add into little increments. Like 1 tablespoon at a time so that I don’t make batter too thin.
Inderjit Kaur says
Hi there, can we use muffin maker instead of the pan and bake it instead?
Rupali Agarwal says
Hey Inderjit, I have not tried baking them yet, though due on my to be tried list. Hence right now not in position to comment on outcome.
Thank you Rupali
Inderjit Kaur says
Hi there, can we bake it in muffin maker?
Sheetal Totloorker says
Hey Rupali, Is this the pan you used
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074MM2983/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If yes, how is it?
Rupali Agarwal says
Hey Sheetal, mine is bit different than the one you have sent. But I am pretty sure the one you have selected would work perfectly fine. To be precise mine is this one ?
https://bit.ly/2qNLm1n
Sherryl says
Hi there! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate!
He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him.
Fairly certain he'll have a good read. Thank you
for sharing!
Rupali Agarwal says
Thank you Sherryl
Jeramy says
Really excellent post, I surely adore this website, keep on it.
Rupali Agarwal says
Thank You Jeramy
Vidu says
What kind of pan is that? Can I use paniyaram pans?
Rupali Agarwal says
Yes, these pans are called paniyaram pans also.
maillotsfoot says
This is one awesome blog.Thanks Again.
Rupali Agarwal says
Thank you for your feedback.