Ingredients to make vadais:
1 cup channa dal, salt to taste, 1 medium onion, oil to fry, water to blend.
Ingredients to make curry:
1 medium sized onion, ginger-1 small piece, red chiliies(5 or more depending on how hot you want the dish to be), green chilli-1, garlic-2 flakes, sombu(saunf)-1/2 tsp, cardomom-3, cinnamon stick 1, cloves 3, channa dalia(pottukadalai)-1 tbsp.
Other ingredients needed:
1 medium sized onion, garlic-2 flakes(optional), two roma tomatoes(diced), 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, cilantro/coriander leaves-1/2 bunch.
Method of Preparation-Vadais.
Soak the channa dal for 2 hours. Grind it coarsely in the blender with very little water and salt to taste. Pour it in a bowl.
Cut the onion into small pieces. Add it to the ground dal and mix well.
Note: If the dough is a little watery, use paper napkins to absorb the extra water.
Make small balls and deep fry in oil to golden color. Set it aside.
Note :DO NOT FRY IT TO A DEEP BROWN..
Method of Preparation-Curry.
Saute the ingredients for making curry in a little oil and grind together with enough water.
Heat 3 tbsp oil.
Saute one chopped onion, 2 flakes of garlic, tomatoes for a few minutes
Add 1/2 tsp turmeric powder.
Add the ground masala. Cook for 5-10 minutes.
Add 3 cups of water and salt to taste.
When it boils vigourously, add the fried vadais. Let it boil for 5 more minutes. Add more water if necessary as vadais will absorb water.
Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro/coriander leaves