Maharashtrian style Kothimbir vadi recipe - These savory cilantro fritters are steamed first then fried till crisp. Yes, they are super delicious, crispy around the edges and soft from inside.
1bunch Cilantro or coriander leavesapprox 85-90 grams or 3 oz or 2 cups loosely packed
2Green chilies
½inchGinger
2clovesGarlic
1cupBesan (Gram flour)
¼cupRice flour
Saltto taste
⅛teaspoonBaking soda
½teaspoonRed chili powder
¼teaspoonTurmeric powder
½teaspoonCoriander powder
2teaspoonsSesame seeds
4tablespoonsWater
6tablespoonsOilfor shallow frying
Instructions
Preparation:
Pluck the leaves and discard the stems.
Wash the leaves very well by dunking them into the water.
Spread the washed leaves on the kitchen or paper towel, pat dry the leaves. If you have time then let them dry on their own.
Chop the cilantro leaves and keep them aside.
Make a coarse paste of ginger, garlic, green chilies without adding any water.
Making Kothimbir Vadi Recipe:
Take chopped cilantro, besan, rice flour, salt, baking soda, prepared paste, spices (red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder) and sesame seeds in a bowl.
Mix thoroughly using your fingers and thumb.
Then add little water at a time and knead into a dough. Because of besan it can become sticky, so you may need to wash your hand, apply oil on your palm and knead into a smooth dough.
Prepare the steamer by adding a glassful or two of water and let it come to a simmer. Grease the steamer tray.
Divide the dough into two equal portions and roll into 6-inch cylinder logs.
Arrange the logs in a steamer tray a few inches apart.
Steam for 17-18 minutes. Check by inserting a knife or toothpick in the center. It should come out clean.
Remove it from the steamer, let it cool to touch, then slice into half inch thick slices.
Deep fry or shallow fry them into oil till they are light golden brown crispy from both sides.
Remove it to a paper towel lined plate to remove excess oil and serve them warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Steam kothimbir vadi in instant pot:
Turn on the instant pot with saute mode. Add around 2 glasses of water in the inner pot of instant pot and let the water come to a boil.
Grease the plate or container with oil that fits into your instant pot. Arrange the logs in it few inches apart.
Once the water starts boiling, Place a rack in the inner pot and on top place the plate/container that contains vadi logs.
Cover with the lid, keep valve to the venting position. Or you can use the regular glass lid instead.
Cancel the saute mode, start the steam mode. Put the external timer for 17 minutes.