Ullivada (Onion Fritters)

Ullivada (onion fritter) is a popular south Indian evening tea snack. It is available anywhere from street vendors to high end restaurants. It is a tasty snack to quickly serve when unexpected guests come over.

Ingredients

1 cup=250ml

Onion, 3 nos. or 300 g

Salt, ½ tbs

Coriander leaves (finely chopped), 1 tbs

Curry leaves (finely chopped),2 tbs

Ginger (minced), ½ tbs

Kashmiri chili powder, 1 tsp

Turmeric powder, ½ tsp

Asafoetida, ¼ tsp

Baking soda, ¼ tsp

Besan (gram) flour, 2 full tbs

Plain flour, 2 tbs

Oil, ½ cup

Preparation:

• Peel and wash the onions, then slice finely and mix in salt.
• Squeeze the onions to release juices and set aside for ten minutes.
• Mix in coriander leaves, curry leaves, ginger, chili powder, turmeric, and asafoetida, with your hands, squeezing well.
• Sprinkle the besan, baking soda and plain flour and mix with onion, coating evenly. Check salt.
• Heat oil in an iron pan or kadai until very hot.
• Then reduce the flame to medium. If the flame is too high, the fritter will be golden on the outside, but raw on the inside. If the flame is too low, the fritter will absorb more oil.
• Put in a little batter to test the heat (it must sizzle and rise immediately).
• Roll small balls and press with your fingers to flatten.
• Drop into the oil one by one. 
• After two seconds, stir to fry both sides until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon.
• Place the ullivada on a kitchen towel to absorb the extra oil.
• Repeat the process. It might require a little practise to get it right.

Your Ullivada is ready. Enjoy with hot tea or coffee. Please share and comment! Thank you :)