Kalmi Vada

Ingredients:

1/3 cup dhuli urad (husked black gram)

1 Tbsp salt or to taste

1-cup chana daal (bengal gram)

1 tsp chilli powder

1/3 cup dhuli moong (husked green gram)

1/2 tsp heeng (asafetida)

Oil for deep frying

2 tsp ajwain seeds (carum/thymol)

1/2 tsp meetha (baking) soda

1/3 cup arhar (yellow lentils)

Method:

Clean, wash and soak the four dals for 4-5 hours.

Grind the dals, without using water (for you need a dough like consistency). The texture should be a bit grainy.

Mix in rest of the dry ingredients and shape the dough into slightly flat rounds 2-3 inch (6 cm) in diameter.

Heat the oil and over high heat, put in as many balls as come in without touching, turn after about 10 seconds, and lower the heat. Cook till firm on both sides, but not brown.

When cool, slice into 1/2 inch (6 cm) thick slices.

Before serving, deep-fry the slices, first over high heat then lowering the heat till crisp. Serve with Hari Chutney.