Pongal Vada Curry

Pongal Vada Curry is a delightful South Indian dish that combines the comforting flavors of spiced rice and lentil dumplings in a rich, tangy curry. This gluten-free dish is perfect for a hearty meal and is bursting with aromatic spices.

Ingredients

• Rice - 1 cup
• Split Yellow Moong Dal - 1/4 cup
• Water - 4 cups (for cooking)
• Ginger - 1 inch, grated
• Black Pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Cumin Seeds - 1 teaspoon
• Green Chilies - 2, finely chopped
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - for frying
• Onion - 1 medium, finely chopped
• Tomato - 1 medium, chopped
• Coriander Powder - 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric Powder - 1/2 teaspoon
• Garam Masala - 1/2 teaspoon
• Cilantro - for garnish

Steps

1. Rinse the rice and moong dal together under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak them in enough water for about 30 minutes.
2. Drain the soaked rice and dal, then add them to a pot with 4 cups of fresh water. Add grated ginger, black pepper, cumin seeds, chopped green chilies, and salt.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until the rice and dal are soft and mushy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Once cooked, allow it to cool slightly, then mix to form a slightly thick batter. Let it cool completely.
5. In a pan, heat oil for frying. Once hot, take small portions of the cooled pongal batter and shape them into small vadas (donuts).
6. Fry the vadas until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Remove and drain on paper towels.
7. In a separate pan, heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Then add the chopped tomato.
8. Cook the tomato until it softens, then add coriander powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala. Stir well and cook for another 2 minutes.
9. Add a little water to create a curry-like consistency and bring to a simmer.
10. Carefully add the fried vadas to the curry, allowing them to soak up the flavors for about 5 minutes.
11. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 12 g
• Carbs: 50 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in protein from moong dal, supporting muscle health.
• Contains fiber from rice and dal, aiding digestion.

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