My hubby loves vada or any deep fried food and my dad was insisting I should prepare and give him. But I was not interested in cooking something which is soaked in oil. So I thought why not try in the kuli paniyaram pan (pancake puff pan) and make a healthy version of it. It did taste good without the excess oil. If your ready to compromise on the usual shape of vada, this is the easy and healthy recipe which you can eat without the guilt.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup- Urad dhal/black gram(whole/split)
- ½ onion- big onion finely chopped
- 2-3 – green chillies finely chopped
- Pinch of hing(to reduce the gasy effect)
- Salt to taste
- Chopped curry/coriander leaves
Directions
- Wash and Soak the urad dal in water for minimum 2-4 hrs.
- Grind it with 1/4 cup of water.(use the soaked water)
- Add salt and grind again.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to this ground batter and mix well ( it should be thick but in pourable consistency)
- Heat the paniyaram pan over medium flame and gently rub or add a few drops of oil in each Kuzhi (hole).
- Pour a ladleful of batter in each kuzhi, cover with a lid and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on one side.
- When done, flip to the other side using a spoon or paniyaram stick (this usually comes with the pan also known as paniyaram lifter) or wooden bamboo skewers.
- Cook again for another 5 minutes or until its evenly browned or turns crisp.
- Repeat the process for the remaining batches and serve with choice of chutney or sambar.
Benefits of Urad dal(black gram/black lentil)
- Split pulses in India are known as Dal. Pulses and beans are reputed to lower blood cholesterol.
- Pulses and beans help diabetics by reducing post meal rise in blood sugar. The ability of carbohydrates depends on their speed of absorption.
- The protein content of pulses is about 20% to 25% about twice as much as that of cereal’s, making them the most economical source of proteins.
- Black gram helps in increasing the hemoglobin count and best for people who are anemic.
- It gives strength to the body and increases energy of the muscles
- It also has properties to reduce the fat content of the body.
- When consumed more than twice a week, it will help to increase weight proportionately.
My friends call me a total health freak as I always end up talking and advising others how to stay healthy. I love to cook and likewise eat healthy. This blog has all the tips you need to lose weight and recipes which helps you acheive that goal.