Dahi Bhalla: Refreshing Lentil Fritters in Spiced Yogurt
20 minutes
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About Dahi Bhalla: Refreshing Lentil Fritters in Spiced Yogurt
Dive into a bowl of pure bliss with Dahi Bhalla (also known as Dahi Vada), a beloved Indian street food that’s both refreshing and utterly satisfying. Imagine light-as-air lentil fritters, fried to a golden crisp and then soaked to a delightful pillowy softness.Submerged in a creamy, spiced yogurt and generously drizzled with vibrant mint and sweet tamarind chutneys, each bite is an explosion of flavor and texture. Finished with fresh coriander, a touch of fiery red chili powder, and a pinch of tangy chaat masala, this dish is a true culinary masterpiece.Easy to recreate at home, Dahi Bhalla is perfect as a light meal or a flavorful snack any time of day.
Recipe Time & More
Prep10 minutes
Cook10 minutes
Total20 minutes
Ingredients
For the Vada Batter
- 1 cup Medu Vada Batter farmz2familiez
- 1 Chili finely chopped, green
- 1/2 inch Ginger finely chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp Salt or to taste
For the Yogurt Mixture
- 1 cup Yogurt
- 1 tsp Chili Powder red
- 1/2 tsp Cumin Seed jeera, roasted
For Serving and Garnish
- 3 Tbsp Tamarind Chutney sweet
- 3 Tbsp Mint Chutney green
- 2 Tbsp Coriander dhania, finely chopped, fresh
- 1/2 tsp Chaat Masala
- Oil for frying
- 3 cup Water lukewarm
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk the vada batter for 2-3 minutes to make it light and airy.
- Add the chopped green chili, ginger, and salt to the batter. Mix well to combine.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. The oil is ready when a small drop of batter sizzles gently.
- Carefully drop spoonfuls of the batter (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each) into the hot oil, maintaining space between them.
- Fry the vadas for a few minutes on each side, flipping them once they turn golden brown. This ensures even cooking.
- Once golden brown and cooked through, remove the vadas from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Soak the fried vadas in lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. This step is crucial for creating their signature soft and spongy texture.
- Gently squeeze each vada to remove excess water. Be careful not to break them.
- Repeat the frying and soaking process until all the batter is used.
- In a bowl, whisk the yogurt until smooth and creamy. This creates a luscious base for the dish.
- Stir in the red chili powder and roasted cumin powder into the yogurt. This adds a warm, savory depth of flavor.
- Place the soaked vadas in a serving bowl.
- Pour the spiced yogurt over the vadas. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This also chills the dish, making it even more refreshing.
- Just before serving, drizzle the green mint chutney and sweet tamarind chutney generously over the yogurt-soaked vadas.
- Garnish with freshly chopped coriander, a sprinkle of red chili powder, and a pinch of chaat masala for an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal.
- Serve the Dahi Bhalla immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Good To Know
- For extra-soft bhallas, soak the fried vadas in warm water for 15-20 minutes before adding them to the yogurt. Gently squeeze out excess water so they absorb the curd better and become melt-in-the-mouth.
- If you prefer a healthier version, try air frying or baking the vadas at 200°C (392°F) until golden brown, then proceed with soaking and assembling as usual.
- For an elegant presentation, layer the dahi bhalla in individual glasses or jars—start with yogurt, then bhalla, followed by chutneys and spice sprinkles, creating beautiful visible layers.
Expert Tips
- Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the yogurt to your liking by adding a touch of sugar or a squeeze of lemon juice.
- For a richer flavor, use thick Greek yogurt or hung curd (yogurt strained through cheesecloth).
- Experiment with different chutneys like mint-coriander chutney, tamarind chutney, or even a spicy chili garlic chutney to add variety and depth of flavor.
Storage Instructions
- Store leftover dahi bhalla (assembled with yogurt and chutneys) in the refrigerator for up to a day. However, keep extra vadas and yogurt separate if you plan to serve later, to prevent them from getting overly soggy.
Recipe Nutrition
Calories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 3gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 1140mgSugar: 4g
9 Comments
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This is delightful! Thanks for the recipe.
This looks so appetizing! Thank you.
Looks so flavorful! Thanks for posting.
Such a beautiful dish! Can’t wait to try it.
This is delightful! Thanks for the recipe.
Ohh..how sweet 🙂
Whenever i see Dahi Balla, Ma ki yaad aajati hai…everytime I go home, she will make tow things Gulab Jamun and Dahi Bhalla.
Thank u so much Ankush 🙂
Yummy…. I love dahi bhalla and this one is quite tempting 🙂