Red Spinach / Cheera Parippu Vada

Ingredients:

1 cup peas dal / chana dal ( kadalaparippu)

1 1/2 cup red spinach / chuvanna cheera, finely chopped

1" piece ginger

2-3 green chillies

1-2 dry red chillies

1 tsp fennel seeds

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped

2 sprig curry leaves, chopped

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/4 tsp asafoetida

salt to taste

oil for frying

Preparation:

1. Wash and soak dal in water for 3-4 hours.
2. Drain the water from soaked dal and grind it into a coarse paste adding fennel seeds and dry red chillies without adding water (don't make it paste).
3. Transfer this to a bowl and add finely chopped spinach, chopped onion, ginger, green chillies, curry leaves, coriander leaves, turmeric powder, asafoetida and salt and mix well with your hand.
4. Make small balls out of the mixture and flatten them with your palms.
5. Heat oil in a pan and drop the prepared vadas gently to the hot oil and fry them on medium flame till they turn golden brown and crispy.
6. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with tea / coffee…