Vadakari

Vadakari is famous in Chennai and the surrounding areas of Tamilnadu.This also happens to be my dad's favorite dishes.
Vadakari as the name implies is a curry made with vadas.
Usually the vada is fried in oil , in this recipe instead of frying the vada I have steamed it in a idly cooker.(trying to be a little calorie conscious!)
Ingredients:
1 cup Channa dhal
1 Large Onion (chopped)
1 Tomato (chopped)
3 Dry red chillies
2 Green chillies
1 Tsp fennel seeds
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
2 Tbsp Chilli powder
1 Tbsp Garam masala
1/2 Cup coconut milk
3 sprigs Curry leaves
1 Tbsp G/G Paste(Ginger/Garlic)
2 Nos Cardamom
1 Bay leaves
2 Cloves
1 small piece Cinnamon
Asafoetida
1 Tsp Mustard seeds & urad dal
3 Tbsp oil
Salt to taste.
Method:
Vada:
Soak the channa dal for 1/2 hour.
Grind the channa dal along with dry red chillies, half the fennel seeds,haalf the curry leaves and little salt.
Grind this into a coarse paste without adding much water.
Form the batter into disk shapes(or small dumplings) and steam it in an idly cooker.(you can also fry the vada in oil.)
once the vadas are done, set it aside and let it cool.

Gravy:
Heat oil in a kadai, add mustard seeds, urad dal,curry leaves and let it splutter.
Add bay leaves, cardamom, cloves and stir for a second.
Add onions, green chillies, G/G paste,tomato and saute.
Now add garama masala , turmeric powder and chilly powder.(increase/decrease chilly powder according to your taste)
Add water and cook for a few minutes.
Now add the coconut milk, cover and cook for a minute.
Add asafoetida, Now scramble the vadas and add to the curry.
Add water if necessary.

Serve immediately. The vada will absorb the liquid in the curry, making it thick as time passes.

Vadakari is great with Idly, dosa, appam.
I tried this with Banana Bread dosa , A recipe I got from Recipe Junction.