Friday, July 30, 2010

Kothimbir wadi

A few months ago life was  great. I had a terrific group of friends. We were a group of five and would meet everyday for lunch and share whatever we had made in the morning (for the husband's lunch boxes) and end the day with a good cup of tea. Sometimes we would go to the nearby mall after lunch and window shop or buy  or return stuff. 
Then things changed. One girl, S had to go back to India (only to come back on another project in another state). Then N, went back. A little later, I visited my family back home. M ( or Amma, as we fondly call her) has relocated to another state and I have temporarily relocated to IL, where the Hubby has his current project and  am now living in a hotel. Only N, stays  in the same apartment and she too misses the pleasant afternoons and the fun.
I cannot help but fondly recollect those cold winter and spring days when we met and shared so much over food. 
At one such get together ( with partners) I made these as  starters and they were crisp and tasty and gone in no time!



You need:

1 Cup Chana Daal , washed in 3-4 changes of water and soaked in enough water for at least 5 hours

1/2 cup Fresh cilantro ( firmly packed)

~ 1 inch piece of Fresh Ginger

2-3 green Chilies

Salt to taste

Hefty pinch Soda- bi- carb

Oil to deep fry

Wash the daal in 3-4 changes of water ( till the water runs clear)  and soak it (8 hrs being ideal, if not, at least 5 hours)
Drain the water and add all the ingredients listed, except the oil and soda-bi-carb and blend to make a gritty mixture (add a couple of tbsp. of water at a time only if needed)
Remove mixture and add the soda.
The next step is to steam the mixture, you can use something like this or just the good ol' idli stand like I did 
Lightly oil the stand and steam the nuggets for as long as  it takes  to make idlis. I usually keep the cooker (minus the weight/ whistle) for 7 minutes after it starts letting the steam come out.
Cool and remove the nuggets 
In the meantime, heat oil in a wok /kadhai over medium high heat  and line a plate with paper towels
Once the oil is hot (drop a bit of the steamed nugget and if it rises easily, but not too fast to the surface) carefully slip 4-6 nuggets, depending on the size of the wok, and deep fry till they turn a nice golden brown
Drain onto a paper towel and pierce with  toothpick (optional)
Serve with ketchup or green chutney  and/or sweet chutney 


I have another version of KothimbirWadi on this blog, which my Grandmother (Aaji) taught me. Today my Aaji , who is 84, is fighting for her life and never before have I wanted God to work a miracle so desperately. Everyday I call up just to hear that she is still there, that makes my day, just to know that she is hanging in there and thinking it is  her will power, of which we have been witnesses before, that is keeping her alive. 
Hang in there Aaji, we all love you. 

*Edited to add: My Aaji passed away last week, a day after I posted here. Words cannot describe the pain of her loss. All I am left with are memories.
Pin It

21 comments:

Satya said...

lovely wadis ...looks crispy ....i love the flavor of cilantro very much ...i can feel the taste of wadis right now ....mmm...mmmm. i wish i could get a cup of tea with those delicious wadis

Satya
http://www.superyummyrecipes.com

Prema said...

luks wounderfull,like the way of presentation.

aipi said...

they look adorable.. crispy,tempting n delish... did i say easy as well.. liked your idea of using idli stands.. nice presentation dear :)

Sayantani Mahapatra Mudi said...

your recollection of those good times made me yearn for my days with the girls before marriage. now that I have moved to another state those days are fondly remembered.
the wadis look great...love this idea of steaming in idli stands. good shape and easy to handle.

Supriya said...

Vadis look crispy tempting. Easy to make yet so tasty:) One of my favorites too. Love the idea of picking them up with a toothpick :))

Supriya said...

I love your blog and hence added it to my blog list here.

http://myculinaryexplorations.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Good to see Manasi cooking again...You are my inspiration to blog and brag about my work.. Miss you dear.. and all wishes to your Aaji.. We all love her for teaching you the stuff u share with us.....
Love Ash.

Kavs said...

Best wishes to your ajji - hope she gets well soon!

Guna's kitchen said...

perfect wadis... luks delicious and crunchy...btw beautiful clicks.. like to have as an evening snack...

u have a lovely space ...and good collection of recipes .. if u find time do visit my blog.. happy to follow ur blog

Madhavi said...

Hi Pallu,

Nice wadis, still remember the day we all together sat and ate them , missing all of you,lods of kisses to soham, take care

Madhavi

http://madhukitchen.blogspot.com

Vaishali said...

Manasi, my thoughts are with you for your Aaji. I hope she gets better very soon.
Kothimbir vadi used to be a favorite snack when I was a kid. I haven't had it in many, many years and your post made me nostalgic. Thanks for the recipe.

Umm Mymoonah said...

Looks so crisp and yummy. Sorry about your aaji, sometimes we have to accept the fact.

Sharmi said...

You are blogging and posting from Hotel..??? OMG that too with your lil one... great yarr
My hubby to was in IL till july end. Now he moved to MI.
How long in Hotel?
Sorry to hear about your grandmother.

Pavithra Srihari said...

Wishes with you manasi .. wadi is very new to me ... loved ur click as well

Veggie Belly said...

Sorry to hear about your grandmother. Good luck with your transition.

lubnakarim06 said...

Heartfelt condolences....new wadi to me...looks yum...love the flavour of coriander in wadi...

Jo Sawant said...

Hi Manasi,
Just bumped in to your blog and thought it was very interesting. I didn't want to spam your comments section by posting this here but I couldn't find your email anywhere so sorry about this. I was wondering if you would be interesting in writing for a magazine.If you have a flair for creative writing? Submit your articles to sizzlingpots@gmail.com
Visit here for more details:
http://www.sizzlingpots.com/articles/submitarticle.html

In fact any food bloggers would be more than welcome to apply.
Thanks
Jo Sawant

Shanthi Krishnakumar said...

Simply superb

Manasi said...

Thank U all for the comments and more importantly, for your concern.

Anu said...

All your recipes looks yummy..and a very nice blog..Sorry to hear about your grandmother..Take care of yourself..

Anonymous said...

I can imagine how hard it must have been on you. My Aaji passed away last year. She was 95 years ago and we still miss her so badly.
It does not matter how old you are or how old the person is, thsi fact is extremely painful.
Time is the best healer. Take care.

Share

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape