Andhra Style Corn Vada (Corn Garelu) Recipe
Andhra Style Corn Vada, also known as Corn Garelu, is a mouthwatering South Indian snack that brings together the perfect blend of textures and flavors. This delicious fritter features a crispy, golden-brown exterior with a tender, flavorful interior, thanks to a combination of sweet corn, aromatic spices, and fresh herbs. Ideal for teatime snacks, festive occasions, or as a tasty appetizer, these vadas will certainly win over your guests and family members alike.
Cuisine: South Indian
Course: Snack
Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chana dal (Bengal Gram Dal) | 1/2 cup (soaked and drained) |
| Sweet corn | 1-1/2 cups |
| Green chillies | 2 (finely chopped) |
| Ginger | 1 inch (grated) |
| Dry red chillies | 2 (broken into pieces) |
| Onion | 1/2 cup (chopped) |
| Cumin seeds (Jeera) | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Curry leaves | 1 tablespoon (finely chopped) |
| Coriander (Dhania) leaves | 4 tablespoons (chopped) |
| Gram flour (besan) | 1/4 cup |
| Salt | As required |
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 12-15 vadas (serving size depends on desired portion)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Coarse Paste
Begin by soaking and draining the chana dal (Bengal gram dal) for at least an hour. Once soaked, add the chana dal, sweet corn kernels, ginger, green chilies, curry leaves, and dry red chilies into a mixer grinder. Pulse it to create a coarse paste—avoid making it too smooth, as the vadas should retain a bit of texture. -
Combine the Ingredients
Transfer the coarse paste into a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped onion, cumin seeds (jeera), chopped coriander leaves, and the remaining sweet corn kernels. Sprinkle in the gram flour (besan) and salt to taste. Mix everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined. You may need to adjust the salt according to your preference. -
Shape the Vadas
Heat a deep pan with oil for frying. To shape the vadas, lightly grease your palms with a bit of oil to prevent sticking. Take small portions of the mixture and form round, flat patties. Ensure that the vadas are not too thick for even cooking. -
Fry the Vadas
Once the oil is hot (but not smoking), gently slide the shaped vadas into the hot oil. Fry them in batches, ensuring they don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry on medium heat for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they turn a golden brown and crispy. -
Drain and Serve
Once the vadas are crisp and golden, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil. Place them on a tissue paper to absorb excess oil. -
Serving
Serve these crispy Andhra Style Corn Vadas hot with a side of traditional South Indian coconut chutney, dhaniya pudina chutney, or any chutney of your choice. They also pair wonderfully with a cup of masala chai.
Tips for Perfect Vadas
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Soaking the Dal: Proper soaking of chana dal ensures the vadas hold together well during frying. It also helps in grinding the dal to the right consistency.
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Frying: Fry the vadas on medium heat to avoid burning the exterior while leaving the inside undercooked.
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Consistency: The mixture should be coarse and slightly sticky. If it’s too wet, add a little more gram flour to bind the ingredients together.
Enjoy this traditional South Indian snack, perfect for your next gathering or as a delightful treat to snack on any time of the day. The crisp, flavorful vadas are sure to bring the flavors of Andhra Pradesh right into your kitchen!
