Uzhunnuvada

Ingredients :
Urad Dal   - 1 cup
Chopped small onion   -1/4 cup
Green chillies  - 3  ( chopped )
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Whole Black Pepper Corns  -1 tsp
Ginger   - 1 inch piece (chopped )
Salt to taste
Baking Soda -1 pinch (Optional )
Oil to fry

Method :
1.Soak black gram dal in water for 2 hours. Drain the water from it and grind to a fine paste till it is creamy, but make sure it is not watery.
2. Add chopped onions, green chillies, ginger,curry leaves, pepper and salt, a pinch of baking soda (to make the vadas soft) and mix well. If you like the vadas to have a crispy exterior and soft interior, add 1tbsp rice flour to the batter . keep the batter  covered  for 5 to 10 mins
3.Heat oil  in a kadai or deep skillet. Let the oil get really hot .
4.wet the palm of your hand with water and place a ball of the vada mix on it . Press it down slightly with the fingers of your other hand. Now using one finger make a hole in the middle of it .
5.Drop it slowly and carefully into the hot oil. Wet your palm each time you make the donut shape - this prevents the batter from sticking on your hand.
6.Fry the vadas till golden brown and lay them out on a tray lined with kitchen tissue to absorb excess oil.
Serve hot with chutney.     Yum yum ...