Tip for Vada Shaping/Frying

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Tip for Vada Shaping/Frying Tip for Vada Shaping/Frying

Topic started by Tom (@ host-209-214-4-18.mia.bellsouth.net) on Tue Feb 19 23:47:22 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

I have tried to make vadai repeatedly using the prescribed method of wetting my hand with water, shaping the batter, and "carefully" sliding the vadai into the oil. Maybe it was just me, but no matter how close I got a vada to the oil, it would still splash around.

So one day it occured to me that I could use my rice paddle (my mother is Korean and I was practically raised with a rice paddle in hand) to dip vadai into the oil. What a difference it made!

You can buy nice bamboo rice paddles in any East Asian market. Instead of water, I put a slight bit of oil on the paddle, scooped out the batter, made the hole, then easily slid the vada into the oil using a quick flip of the paddle.

The handle on the paddle is long enough to protect you from any hot oil, but it is short enough (the handle on mine is perhaps 10-12cm) to allow fine movement with control. The process became quite simple, efficient, and fast. It was truly a blessing to avoid dealing with plastic film or bare fingers, just barely hovering over a karhai of hot oil!

Happy Cooking,
Tom

p.s.- Is vada singular and vadai plural? I've always assumed such but I wanted to double-check.

Responses:

From: Preeti (@ ppp-227-066.usc.edu) on: Wed Feb 20 18:36:43

Hi Tom,

The preparation is called VADAI in Tamil language. Whereas the same preparation is called VADA in Hindi and Marathi languages. Both these words are singular.

Your information about using Rice Paddles to make VADA/VADAI is quite good. I will try using it. Thanks
From: menaka (@ ip68-2-69-181.ph.ph.cox.net) on: Wed Feb 20 21:41:12

whatis a rice paddle?
From: Tom (@ host-208-60-210-195.mia.bellsouth.net) on: Wed Feb 20 22:02:16

Thanks Preeti for the clarification. With so many languages used on the net to describe the same foods it is hard sometimes to keep everything clear.

Menaka, here is a picture of a rice paddle:

http://www.artistreewoodart.com/artistree_rice_paddles.html

Mine is nowhere as fancy, just plain bamboo.
From: menaka (@ ip68-2-69-181.ph.ph.cox.net) on: Wed Feb 20 22:46:47

thanks tom

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