Wednesday, July 8, 2015

MILAGU VADAI RECIPE | ANJANEYAR KOVIL VADAI

anjayneyar kovil vadai
Milagu vadai or Anjaneyar kovil vadai is a traditional prasadam offered in anjaneyar temple. Before marriage in my town for anjaneyar they used to put the usual ulundu vada malai . After coming to chennai, we have an anjayneyar temple just opposite to our house. There they used to put this thattai type crispy milagu vadai for anjayneyar and distribute to all. Being living there in the same street, we used to get the vadais daily and everyday around 11 am they start making the vadais in the temple madapalli (kitchen). We could smell the vadai from our living room itself as the temple is just few steps away from our house. I wanted to try this at home for a long time. My mil also enquired about the recipe with the temple friend roughly and told me. On of my friend who lives in US, once shared this vadai picture in a what's app group. I was so curious to learn it from her too. After 10 days, she made it again for me and explained me with step wise pictures. Wow what a friend, a true dedication. So here i am with you with perfect milagu vadai recipe.


Anjaneyar kovil Vadai

  Preparation Time : 30 mins + soaking time 30 minutes| Cooking Time : 20 Mins |Makes:20

     Whole urad dal     1/2 cup
     Black pepper    1 tsp
     Rice flour      1 tblsp
     Salt     as needed
     Oil      for deep frying 
     
     


kovil -vadai
Method:
  • Soak the urad dal in water for 30 minutes. Drain the water completely and put the urad dal in a colander to drain the water completely.
anjayneyar vadai
  • Pulse the urad dal  without adding any water. Add the pepper corns and rice flour now and pulse again. If needed add 1 tsp of water. Do not grind into a smooth paste. Grind it coarsely and thick.
milagu vadai
  • Add 1 tsp of hot oil and salt to the ground mixture. Mix well.
  • Grease a zip lock cover with oil. 
  • Heat oil for frying. Take a very small lemon size of dough and place it in the center of the ziplock.
milagu vadai
  • Place another greased ziplock cover on it and place a flat based vessel ( i used a davara) on the ziplock to get even roundels.
how to make milagu vadai
  • Using your fingers further more make it thin. Be careful no to tear it.
  • The more the thinner the vadais the more crispier it will be.
milagu vadai
  • Carefully take out the ziplock which we kept on the top. Place a hole in the center of the vadai. Grease your hands before that. 
milagu vadai
  • Lift it carefully and put inside hot oil. Ensure the oil should not be smoking hot. Keep the flame to medium low while frying. Turn on both sides and ensure even cooking. Once they become golden brown take it out from the oil.
milagu vadai
  • Drain the excess oil. Repeat this for the rest of the dough.
milagu-vadai
Notes:
  1. Do not soak for more than 30 minutes. Infact after i made this a friend's mother told me, 15 minutes soaking is enough. 
  2. Do not add water while grinding.
  3. Rice flour and hot oil gives crispiness to the vadai. So do not skip it.
  4. Always ensure the oil is not too hot whiel frying.
  5. You can use black urad dal too for making this milagu vadai.
  6. Always make this vadai thin, else you will end up making soggy vadai instead of crispy vadai.
  7. This vadai stays crispy for 4-5 days if stored in a airtight container.