Stuffed Bread Dahi Vada

Dahi vada (also known as Dahi valle in Punjab, Thayir vada in Tamil, Perugu gari in Telugu, Mosaru vade in Kannada and Doi boda in Bengali) is a mouth watering Indian snack, prepared by soaking vadas in thick yogurt / curd / dahi. Generallly the hot deep fried vadas are first put in water and then transferred to thick beaten yogurt.

For best results, the vadas are soaked for at least a couple of hours before serving. To add more flavor it can be topped with coriander leaves, chaat masala, chili powder including grated coconut, bhujiya, the list can be endless. Sometimes a green chutney / tamarind chutney are serve with the dahi vadas.

Sambhar / rasam vadas (vadas soaked in sambhar / rasam are also popular snacks in southern India.

Here is the recipe for stuffed bread dahi vada, an innovation on the traditional dahi vada which is generally prepared with uraad dal.

Ingredients:

• 8 bread slices
• 4 medium sized potatoes
• 500 ml yogurt / curd
• water (to dip bread slices)
• salt to taste
• 2 tsp roasted cumin seeds / jeera powder
• � tsp red chilli powder
• oil, for frying bread vadas
• 1 bunch coriander leaves, chopped
• sweet / tamarind chutney, curd / yogurt, rock salt, bhujiya (to serve)

Procedure:

1. Strain and whip the yourt well (to remove lumps) with a little salt. Refrigerate.
2. Wash the potatoes, make slits at both the ends and pressure cook with 2 whistles.
3. Drain water, remove the outer skin and mash the potatoes. Add salt, chilli powder, roasted jeera powder and coriander leaves and mix well to form the stuffing.
4. Take water in a deep bottomed bowl. Dip a bread slice in the water for 2-3 secs and take out the bread slice.
5. Press the bread slice with both hands and squeeze out the excess water.
6. Put 1 tbsp of stuffing on the bread slice and fold the moist bread on all sides, seal the top edge properly to form a round ball. Press slightly to form the shape of a vada. Repeat process with all the bread slices.
7. Heat oil in a kadhai and fry the bread balls (one by one) until light golden brown (turn continuously to ensure even colouring on all sides).
8. Place the bread vadas in a serving bowl. Add the chilled curd on top. Sprinkle rock salt and chutney on top. Serve with curd, chutney, rock salt and bhujiya for extra helpings.

Tips:

1. Don�t soak the bread vadas in yogurt beforehand as they may become soggy and mushy.
2. These dish can also be served chilled (though I prefer the hot & crunchy vadas served with the chilled yogurt.

Bread Upma

Bread Upma / Bread Pulao, a tasty breakfast dish prepared with bread slices and choice of vegetables. My mom used to call this paurutir pulao (pauruti or bread as known in Bengali). This can be done with 1-2 days old bread. Here is the recipe as prepared by my mother during weekends.

Ingredients:

• 10-12 bread slices
• 2 large onions, finely sliced
• � cup potatoes, cut into small cubes
• � cup carrot, cut into small cubes
• � cup cauliflower, small florets
• � cup peas, shelled
• 1-2 green chillies (as per taste)
• � tsp mustard seeds (black / white)
• 1 tsp sugar
• salt to taste
• 2 tbsp oil, for frying

Garnish:

• roasted grounduts / bhujiya
• 1 bunch coriander leaves, finely chopped
• grated coconut / small coconut slices

Procedure:

1. Cut the bread into 4 pieces (you can remove crust or keep as desired). Keep aside.
2. Parboil the vegetables in water mixed with a little salt till al-dente (don�t overcook or the vegetables will turn mushy). Drain the excess water and keep aside.
3. Take a deep flat bottomed non-stick frying pan. Heat oil, add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
4. Add the sliced onions and saut� till light brown.
5. Add the boiled vegetables and green chillies and stir fry for 1 min.
6. Add the bread slices and mix well with the vegetables and fry for 3-4 mins.
7. Sprinkle sugar, mix well with the breads and vegetables and stir fry for 1 more min.
8. Remove from fire and transfer in a serving plate.
9. Garnish with either roasted groundnuts / bhujiya and coriander leaves or grated coconut / small coconut slices. Serve hot.

Sending this recipe for "Kids and Healthy Breakfast" event in bloggermoms.