Ingredients

• 1c of split urad dal(skinned black lentils) soaked for at least 2 hours (buy at an Indian grocery store)
• 2 inches of grated ginger
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 sprigs of fresh curry leaves chopped (buy at an Indian grocery store)
• 2-4 whole red chilies chopped up
• 1/4 tsp of black peppercorns chopped up

Instructions

1. start heating the oil to 375 degrees
2. use a mixer grinder or high quality blender for this
3. drain the lentils well
4. combine the ginger, salt, and lentils into the blender and blend until smooth
5. stir in the curry leaves, peppercorns, and red chilies
6. wet both hands and form a ball into one hand and poke a hole in the middle of it with the other
7. quickly throw the ring into the frying oil, don't over-handle the batter
8. keep your hands wet and continue the process until there is one layer of vada floating on the oil
9. when they are starting to become golden, flip and fry a little longer
10. pull vada out and drain on paper towels