Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Ulli Garelu


Another recipe from Andhra which everyone adores! Wondering whats “Ulli Garelu”?? Even I would have surely not ordered this dish from the menu card in a Udupi restaurant. But if I knew what it is, there surely would have been no second thoughts! Its our own “Medu Wada” straight from Andhra and hence my entry for RCI Andhra!

Ulli Garelu aka Medu Wada is a festive food from Andhra, prepared from Black gram dal (urad dal) spiced with onion and ginger. Ulli means “Onion” and Garelu means “Wada”. These garelus are typically served with sambar and coconut chutney. But lazy Arts loves to enjoy its true flavour!! ;)

Ulli Garelu/Medu Wada



What you need:

1 cup Urad Dal (black gram dal)
1 big Onion finely chopped
2 tsp Cumin seeds
3-4 Green Chillies, finely chopped
1 tsp finely chopped Ginger
A pinch of Baking Soda
Salt to taste
Oil for frying

How to proceed:

1) Wash and soak Urad dal for 5-6 hrs
2) Remove all the excess water and convert the ural dal into a smooth thick paste using a grinder [if the batter is not thick, the wadas do not get a perfect shape]
3) Add cumin seeds, chopped onion, chillies, ginger and salt
4) Heat oil in a deep vessel.
5) Wet hands, take a spoonful of batter on the palm, form a circular shape and flatten the wada. Make a hole at the center of the wada using index finger. [This will ensure that the wada is fried evenly]
6) Slowly drop wadas in hot oil, deep fry on both sides till golden brown.
7) Serve hot with sambar or coconut chutney and enjoy! Rocks wit hot tea as well!!

5 comments:

FH said...

We love this,a classic idli,wada and sambar in K'taka too.We call it Uddin wada.Looks great Aarti.
My problem with this is grinding in the mixer without adding water to make thick batter.Never comes thick enough like they do in India to shape.

Sreelu said...

Aarti,

Ulli garelu with allam pachadi is an evergreen combination.
Looks delish

Arts said...

Hey Asha,
Luckily the batter was thick for me during the first time that i tried this yesterday :) Back in Pune, this is served as Medu wada in any South Indian resto!

Thanks Sreelu!
this is the first time i heard this combi.. In Pune I always had this wit sambar n cocunut chutney.. will try this new garlic chutney that u mentioned

DEEPA said...

This is always our home favt.Too good aarti .Hot wada with chutney ....yummy yummy

Anonymous said...

Thanks a lot 4 the recipe.
Can it be made without baking soda or can i use baking powder instead if it?
Do u know a good Masala dosa recipe ?