SHOLA VADAI
Aama vadai or Vadai prepared using bengal gram dal is a standard dish required to celebrate all the festivals in South Indian homes.With the addition of onion and some spices it can be turned out into a delicious Masal Vadae - a spicy snack.
Vadai occupies an important place among the prasaadams prepared for Sri Ganesha Chaturti as well.
Lord Ganesha is referred to as Dantin (The one who has tusks ) in the ancient sacred texts. Dantin is described as holding a corn sheaf in one hand and a sugar cane in the other. He is the protector of crops and His rat mount symbolises that He controls pests and assures of a bountiful harvest.
Here is a Vadai for Sri Ganesha prepared with His favourite corn - Sholam - which He holds in His hand.
INGREDIENTS
Bengal gram flour/besan - 1 cup
Rice flour - 2 tbsps
Chopped green chillies - 1 tsp
Chopped coriander and dil leaves - 2 tbsps
Chopped fresh ginger - 1 tsp
Chilly powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Hot Oil - 2 tbsps
Oil for frying
METHOD
2. Mix all the ingredients together adding 1 tbsp of hot oil.
3. Sprinkle water little at a time and knead it into a stiff dough.
4. Mix in the remaining 1 tbsp of oil so that the dough does not stick to your hand.
5. Heat oil.
6.Pinch a small lemon size ball of dough and pat it into a round vadai on your wet palm.
7.Slide the vadai into hot oil.
8. Make batches of 6 or 8 vadais and fry on medium flame until they turn golden brown in colour.
Offer the hot and crisp Shola Vadais with soft interiors to Lord Ganesha and relish the Ganesha Prasaadam.
