You will be surprised to see moong dal bajia from Mumbai and think I should be talking about Pav bahaji, Vada pav, Pani puri, Bhel puri. Don’t worry this recipe is one I got from the Mumbai streets. I don’t think this is as famous as earlier mentioned dishes whose name itself indirectly indicates Mumbai. The above mentioned are authentic street foods from there.
While going to India I have habit of buying some saris and salwar suits, churidar etc. Always I am 5 or 3 years behind the Bollywood fashion trends, because my India trip usually takes place in between 5 or 3 years. Every time, I took old one with me and gave it to somebody who needs them (as domestic helps to mother-in-law). My sisters-in-law always says I wear out of fashion dress, and I will tell them I have only this one in my hand, once I get new dress I will wear the new one. Usually new trends will get in my hands on only while leaving India. Tailors take usually a week to finish the stuff, by that time I will ready to come back to US. Here in US I like to wear Jeans and T shirt, as they are ultimate comfort dress to me. I wear rarely Indian dresses here.
While in India mother-in-law used to accompany me for outing like shopping, beauty parlors. She is familiar with only the 2 -3 miles area around our building, and we happily makes every day trips to get something leaving my hubby and little one in the house. One day coming after giving cloth materials to stitch salwar suits to the tailor, she stopped at a small street side vendor and bought this moong dal bajia. It was light raining at that time. She told me, on going home we can make tea and give to her son (my dear hubby) and father-in-law and have these bajia. On the way she also explained the recipe to me.
She told me that she got it from the guy who works with shop vendor. She asked him how you are making this one. First the guy was reluctant to say the recipe. Then she told him, I am not going to open any store with this recipe, just curious how it is made. Then he told her. It was the tastiest fritters I have eaten other than my favorite parippu vada, onion vada. Thus my favorite snack list got one more addition. Once you start eating them, it is very hard to stop until there is none left in the plate.
I don’t know the state of origin of this dish, it made with moong dal/yellow split peas and greens like green chilies, coriander leaves and curry leaves along with asafetodia, salt and onion. Added some ginger that my contribution of this recipe. Moong dal should be soaked for 2-3 hours; I end up soaking for 24 hours as I was not able to make the dish on the same day. They taste awesome on the first day; from second day onwards they tend to lose their charm (means crispiness). Here is the recipe. Give it a try, if you want to make it healthier try them baking (I have not baked it yet). Fried ones are deadly delicious.
Print recipe here
What you need
Moong dal/Yellow split peas: 1 cup
Ginger: 1 inch
Green chili: 1 no ( I used Serrano pepper)
Salt: 1 teaspoon
Asafetodia: ¼ teaspoon
Finely chopped Curry leaves: 1 sprig (10 no)
Coriander leaves: 2 tablespoon
Onion: ½ of one onion
Oil for frying: 4 cups (I used canola oil)
Water for soaking the moong dal: 3 cup
How I made
Soak the moong dal/yellow split peas for 2-3 hours in 3 cup water. I end up soaking them for 24 hours. When soaking time is over, drain them in a colander and set aside.
Grind them along with all ingredients except chopped onion, curry leaves, salt and asafetodia into a coarse paste without adding any water.
To the ground paste add chopped onion, curry leaves, salt and asafetodia and mix everything and set aside.
Heat oil in a deep bottom pan and when oil reaches about 350 F add tablespoon of batter. Fry them for about 7 minutes until they become golden brown in color. You will be able to fry 4 in a batch.
Drain them using a slotted spoon and transfer to a kitchen towel to remove extra oil.
Enjoy warm with tea or coffee.
Do you want to see the inside?
Preparation time: Soaking time: 2-3 hours
Grinding + chopping time: 5 minutes
Frying time: 42 minutes
Yield: 22 no
Verdict: Deadly delicious
Will you make it again: Sure I will.
Swathi
2
This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
Radka says
Wooooooooow, beautiful photos and foods, have a nice day Radka.
jayarajmurukkumpuzha says
assalayi.... aashamsakal...............................
kothiyavunu.com says
I am drooling over it just thinking about how tasty it will be with a cup of tea..YUMMY!!!
Aparna S Mallya says
Tasty and crispy. Great snack.
reciperoll.com says
This is new to me Swathi..lov it,will giv a try...
Sreelekha Sumesh says
That looks super delicious Swathi.Moong dal is my fav among all dals.Just loved it.try cheyyanam.
Niru says
delicious
fancythatfancythis.com says
I love pakoras! They are so delicious, especially during Ramadan. It's been way too long since I've indulged. These look great!
Nitha says
Great snack..
Reeni says
These look wonderfully delicious Swathi! Perfect for tea. And I love hearing of your stories!
Gulmohar says
Wonderful fritters...evenings are getting colder here and I need something like this to keep me warm
RAKS KITCHEN says
This is something new to me,sounds good and delicious! would love to have it with tea 🙂
Niloufer Riyaz says
never made vadai with moong dhal!! will definitely try it
Roshan says
Mumbai moong dal bhaji is superb
Joanne says
I don't care where this recipe came from so long as it tastes as good as it looks! Delicious.
Jenny says
at first i thot these were oysters! looks delicious! got lots to learn from ya!
Viki's Kitchen says
Anecdote is quite interesting like the recipe. Using moong dhal is new...must have tasted great. Tea and that fritters in this weather seems a dream day.
Silence Sings says
Dear Swathi I also tasted this dish in Mumbai....but totaly forgotten about it..now as you mentioned It became alive with the taste...loved the read....and the bajias are too too too good...
Adelina says
...and which is more- now you may be in trouble with copyright issues! :)))
Adelina says
hmmmm- very interesting story- and recipe- the shot is just perfect!
Ameya says
Yummy bajia!! Masala chai is the only accompaniment needed for this wonderful treat!
PALATABLE says
Crispy and yummy, all time favorite almost everyone..
http://treatntrick.blogspot.com
Kairali sisters says
Oh my my, just need some tea now....
Faith says
These look delicious! I love the picture showing the inside, all the goodies in there look amazing!
aipi says
Nice little writeup Swathi... enjoyed the read...
bhajias look mouthwateringly delicious..an all time favorite!
US Masala
Satya says
these r my favorite bajai..looks super crisp n delicious
Satya
http://www.superyummyrecipes.com
Yummy Team says
Thats a great snack..Looks tempting..
Pushpa says
Hot hot bajias with a tea is very tempting...looks delicious Swathi
Priya says
Hot tea and fritters, both together makes me hungry..very tempting...
Sushma Mallya says
Nice stepwise pics,it must be really tasty...
sinfullyspicy says
hey swathi..i also miss wearing indian dresses here.LOL..." i m not going to open a restaurant with this recipe..."You are so simple and straightforward in writing...I like it!
The bajias look yummy and I love love that cup of coffee in the picture...very tempting indeed!