Crispy Sambar Vada with Quick Coconut Sambar
Golden, puffed lentil donuts dunked in tangy coconut sambar broth — street food energy in under 30 minutes. Vegetarian Indian comfort that tastes like you've been cooking all day.
- Total time
- 28 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 380
- Protein
- 12g
Ingredients
8 items — tap to check off
Missing one? Custrd suggests a swap that works.
Open the appInstructions
Step 1
Drain soaked urad dal and transfer to a blender with green chili, ginger, and 0.5 cup water. Pulse until silky, airy batter forms.
Step 2
Fold cumin seeds into batter. Add pinch of salt. Scoop into donut shapes using two spoons or a vada mold.
Step 3
Heat 2 inches neutral oil in a heavy pot to 350°F. Slide vada gently into oil (work in batches). Fry 2–3 min per side until deep golden and puffed.
Step 4
Drain vada on paper towels. In the same pot, remove all but 1 tbsp oil. Add sambar powder and toast for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 5
Add 1.5 cups water, okra, coconut milk, tamarind paste, and salt to taste. Simmer 4 minutes until okra is tender.
Step 6
Serve vada in a bowl, pour hot sambar broth over the top. Crack a vada in half so it soaks the broth.
Tools you’ll need
- blender
- heavy-bottomed pot (3–4 quart)
- cooking thermometer
- slotted spoon
- paper towels
- vada mold or two spoons
- serving bowls
Cook smarter
Get matched recipes for what’s in your fridge
Custrd is an iPhone and Android app that finds real recipes from the ingredients you already have. No more grocery-list aspirations. Try it free for 7 days.
