Garelu (Dussera Prasad)

Ingredients:

• Urad dal- 2 cups
• Salt- 1 1/2 tsp or more
• Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp
• Water- 1/2 - 3/4 cup
• Oil- 1 cup

Soak urad dal for 2 hrs and wash twice. Drain the water and grind in a wet-grinder till it becomes a coarse paste. Watch the video for detailed instructions. 

Method:

1. Try to immediately prepare the vada once the batter is ready. The batter can be kept in the refrigerator but it may absorb more oil when fried.
2. Add salt immediately to the batter and mix well.
3. This is to prevent the batter from turning bitter.
4. Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan till it starts to smoke.
5. Meanwhile add cumin seeds to the batter and mix well.
6. Keep water in a small bowl to wet hands.
7. Take some batter in the hand and spread it on a plastic sheet. It has to be quarter inch thick and 3 inches round.
8. Now carefully try and invert the shaped batter on to your fingers and gently release it into he hot oil.
9. Be very careful not to throw it in or the oil will splatter.
10. Gently turn the vada around and cook for 2-3 minutes.
11. As the color changes to golden, remove form oil and transfer on to tissues to let it absorb excess oil.
12. Serve after it cools down to room temperature. Can be eaten hot as well.