Channa Dal Vada

1 cup ( 100 g ) channa dal
1 onion, finely sliced
1/2 - inch piece ginger, finely chopped
1 green chilli, finely chopped
1 spring curry leaves
1 pinch asafoetida ( hing ) powder
Salt to taste ( 1/2 teaspoon )
1 - 2 tablespoon gram flour ( besan ) for final mixing
200 ml oil for frying

Wash and soak channa dal in water for 3 hours.

Drain out water completely and grind dal in a mixer to a rough paste ( Batter should be thick in consistency. So do not add water during grinding ).

Transfer this vada batter to another container and mix with the other ingredients ( You can make desired shape if you mix with gram flour / besan ).

Take a little of the vada mixture and flatten into desired shape ( doughnut shape or round balls ).

Heat oil in a kadai / frying pan. Reduce heat to medium and fry dal vadas in batches ( 4 vadas at a time ) till golden color and crisp on both the sides.

Serve with coconut chutney / tomato sauce.