Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Soak Urad Dal

   Soak 1 cup (250 ml) of urad dal in water for 2 hours until plumped up nicely.

2. 2.Grind First Batch of Dal

   Strain the water from the soaked dal. Add half of the dal, 2 green chillies, a few pieces of ginger, and a little salt to a grinder. Add some chilled water (avoid adding too much at once) and grind into a fine, fluffy batter.

3. 3.Transfer and Check Batter

   Transfer the ground batter to a bowl. Check the consistency; it should be very fluffy and thick.

4. 4.Grind Second Batch of Dal

   Add the remaining dal to the grinder with a little salt and chilled water. Grind into a smooth, fluffy batter.

5. 5.Combine and Mix Batter

   Transfer the second batch of batter to the bowl with the first. Mix both batches thoroughly until well combined and fluffy.

6. 6.Add Optional Ingredients

   Add chopped cashew nuts and raisins to the vada batter and mix well. This step is optional.

7. 7.Prepare Curd Mixture

   Take 800 gms of fresh curd in a bowl. Add about 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a little water. Whisk it nicely until smooth and creamy.

8. 8.Add Powdered Sugar to Curd

   Add 1-2 tablespoons of powdered sugar to the whisked curd and mix until dissolved. Powdered sugar dissolves faster than granulated sugar.

9. 9.Heat Oil for Frying

   Pour enough oil into a kadai for deep frying and heat it until nice and hot.

10. 10.Fry Vadas

    Once the oil is hot, take small portions of the batter with your hand and gently drop them into the hot oil.

11. 11.Cook Vadas

    Toss the vadas to ensure even cooking and a golden brown color on all sides. Fry until they are lovely, crunchy, and golden.

12. 12.Soak Vadas in Water

    Remove the fried vadas from the hot oil and drop them into a bowl of water. Let them sit for about 5 minutes to soften and absorb moisture.

13. 13.Squeeze Excess Water

    After 5 minutes, take out the vadas one by one and gently squeeze each vada between your palms to remove excess water. Do not press too hard.

14. 14.Soak Vadas in Curd

    Gently drop the squeezed vadas into the prepared curd mixture. Make sure the curd completely coats the vadas. Let them soak in the curd mixture for at least 2 hours.

15. 15.Arrange Vadas for Serving

    After 2 hours, the dahi vadas will be soaked and juicy. Take a few vadas and arrange them on a serving plate.

16. 16.Top with Chutneys

    First, top the vadas with fresh coriander and mint chutney, then add tamarind sauce (imli chutney).

17. 17.Add Spices and Sev

    Sprinkle a little Kashmiri chilli powder, chaat masala powder, and nylon sev over the vadas.

18. 18.Garnish and Serve

    Add some fresh pomegranate seeds and finally garnish with fresh chopped coriander leaves. Serve immediately.