Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Vegetable Adai (Indian Vegetable Pancakes)

Make these delicious thick vegetable laden pancakes reminiscent of the Chinese egg fooyong or the Japanese Okonomiyaki when you have leftover Adai batter. The vegetable adai can fool one into thinking that it is okonomiyaki! Imagine that!!

The leftover batter (kept at room temperature) ferments slightly the next day and has a wonderful tangy flavor and makes for delicious vegetable adais. My favorite veggie combo is: sprouted Mung Beans, shredded red cabbage and carrots, finely sliced onions and bell peppers. This particular combination of vegetables is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Serve with coconut or green chutney, raita, or any kind of hot Indian pickles.

4 Servings of 2 adai each

Ingredients:

2 cups of Leftover Adai Batter
1/4 tsp Salt
1 sprig curry leaves, leaves finely sliced into ribbons
2 thin slices of ginger, finely chopped
1 hot green chili, seeds removed and chopped fine
2 cups shredded vegetables
1/4 cup Cilantro, chopped

A few Tbsp Oil for cooking

Method:

Mix the batter with the salt, curry leaves, ginger, chili, veggies, and cilantro.

Heat a griddle or skillet coated with a thin film of oil. When a tiny droplet of water is flicked on the skillet sizzles and dries up quickly, the griddle is ready.

Throughout cooking adjust the heat so that the griddle is hot but not smoky or burning.

Pour a tablespoon of batter onto the skillet and drizzle a couple of drops of oil around it.

When the top looks dry, turn over and cook the other side until golden brown.

Taste the little adai and correct the seasonings of the batter.

Pour about 1/2 cup of batter and spread quickly into a thick circle. Drizzle a few drops of oil all around it, cover, and cook until the top is a little dry.

Slide a thin spatula under and all around the edges to loosen the adai; flip over to cook the other side to a golden brown.

Remove and fold in half.

Continue cooking the adais until the batter is used up.

Serve the adais hot off the grill.

Vegetable adais are great for a meal or a snack. Tiny ones are wonderful to serve as appetizers or starters also.

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