Book Review | Southern Flavours …. Curd rice & Lentil patties {Medhu vadai}
“A good meal soothes the soul as it regenerates the body. From the abundance of it flows a benign benevolence.”
Frederick W. Hackwood
It was the cover of the book the minute I unpacked the couriered parcel that took my breath away! Southern Flavours – The Best of South Indian Cuisine sent to me for review from Blogadda, the largest community of bloggers in India. Rich, vibrant, full of culture & authentic recipes, a book that would definitely catch my eye in the book shop! 
I have a special connect with South India where I spent 5 years of my childhood. While in school in Bangalore, most kids would carry neat round steel boxes with curd, lime or tamarind rice with that sinfully delicious looking bright red pickle floating in oil on top, the contrast between white rice and red pickle completely fascinating. Others would carry steel ‘tiffin‘ boxes {no tupperware etc} filled with pillowy soft freshly made idlis {steamed rice cakes} with the magical ‘gun powder’ crowning it!
Those years gave me a strong connect with South Indian cuisine, which for North Indians seemed out of reach 25 years ago. When we got back to New Delhi, I remember piling into the car every fortnight {with the dals and rice soaked and drained}, with my mother driving several miles to get the mixture ground. Specialised grinders were hard to find. Then the overnight wait for fermentation to take place; then the next morning the precious coconut was dehusked and ground into chutney. The reward – light as air idlis and crisp buttery dosas!
My taste buds still tingle at the very thought of that vibrant food, so this wonderful book was really welcome. I was tearing through it and hit the kitchen pretty soon. Mine being a well stocked North Indian kitchen, I was pretty short on fresh ingredients like coconut and tamarind {my last batch from a sweet reader of PAB has been used up}. To make up, I had a leafy curry leaves tree in my backyard, and loads of ginger, green coriander and fresh chilies on hand!
My first stop had to be curd rice as I do make some once in a while. I was really embarrassed on reading the recipe in Southern Flavours as my earlier curd rice attempts fell short on every level. Was soon stirring a big bowl of this delicious authentic tempered ‘tiffin’ favourite from Down South. The bowl was scraped clean … mmmm! It was full of flavour, healthy and comforting!
The next stop was going to be snacky, something for the kids who love lentil patties or medhu vadas {recipe follows}. These are like an Indian version of savoury doughnuts, but made with a lentil batter as opposed to plain flour. Healthier {though deep fried}, crisp and fabulous in winter! I didn’t get to the chutneys {dipping sauce} and the family enjoyed them crisp out of the oil!
I had trouble getting them into dough-nut shapes the first time around {tough is the word}, and on my second batch 2 days later, I had marginal success. I think it’s an art I yet have to master, but they are taste great in any shape! I now have tamarind soaking for a chutney, ingredients on hand for tamarind rice, lime rice, rasam {like a clear hot spicy soup} … and so much more!
This is a sneak into a book packed with authentic and old recipes from Chandra Padmanathan, who adds a little trivia to most recipes, which is what makes the book all the more interesting. You get transported to another era, sometimes a wedding, sometimes childhood, sometimes sweet potato season … a culinary connect on every page!
This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books!
[print_this]Recipe: Medhu Vadai / Lentil Patties
Summary: A popular snack, normally served with idli for breakfast, and at all auspicious occasions. It can also be served as a teatime or cocktail snack
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup husked, split gram dal {urad dal dhuli}
- 1/2 cup cooked rice
- 4 green chilles {I used 2}
- 1/2 tsp asafoetida powder {hing}
- 1/2″ piece ginger, peeld and grated
- 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 1tsp salt or to taste
- Oil for deep frying
Method:
- Wash dal. Drain and soak in 2 cups water for 2 hours.
- Drain completely. Add rice, green chillies, asafoetida powder and ginger. Grind to make a smooth batter, gradually adding 1-2 tbsp water.
- Add coriander leaves, curry leaves and salt. Mix well.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pa to smoking point. Lower heat to moderate. Wet your hands and flatted a ladle of batter into a 2″ round patty. Make a hole in the centre and gently slip into hot oil . {Beware of trying this if you are not used to deep frying. Please exercise great caution when working with hot oil. I make small balls of vadas by dropping the batter gently into the oil with a teaspoon.}
- Fry vadai in batches, turning frequently, till golden brown and crisp.
- Drain and place on kitchen towel to absorb excess oil.
- Serve hot with any chutney.
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Deeba @ PAB
About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.
17 Comments
Indu
South Indian favourites! But funnily curd rice is not common among Malayalis. I haven’t ever eaten it in Kerala, and in other states, I have combined it with dal curry, a superb combination.
The vadas look so crispy!
Rosa
A lovely sounding book. Those patties look quite irresistible! i’d love to dip them into a yogurt sauce.
Cheers,
Rosa
Tamara
This recipe looks really interesting to me, I like it a lot. When I think of it, I generally like Indian cuisine, it totally fits my taste 🙂
Sumi
Totally irresistible dishes.. absolutly love the ppictures, makes me want to grab some right out of it 🙂
David
I love curd rice and have not heard of the lentil patties. What a tasty combination – both for flavor and texture! Thanks, Deeba! I will also look and see if the book is available in the U.S.
Federica
mmmmmmm..davvero irresistibile!!!ciao!
ritu
Love curd rice in summers!Nothing is more refreshing and cool than this!!!
Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb
oh I can understand why u fell in love with southern cuisine! Looks very tempting.
I have to make your patties, I am sure my husband would love them.
The book looks very interssting too, I gotta check out if flipkart has it in store.
thanks a lots for sharing you memories and traditional dishes.
Ameena
Love these patties – I remember visiting Indian and my dad’s best friend’s cook (talk about a mouthful there) used to make these. They were delicious! I wish I had someone to make them for me again. 🙂 Makes me want to visit India.
Have a lovely weekend my friend!
belllii
These dishes sound delightful Deeba. They are a far cry from the ham and cheese sandwiches that were in my lunch pail as a child.
sare
Hi, I love these balls and ring shaped patties. I’ll try them.
We like fresh coriander, and It goes with well.
See you again, bye.
Lorna H. Litwin
While looking at the pictures I feel hungry lol! So delicious!
shaz
What a great book. My grandmother is from the South and she used to make idlis and dosas all the time. I remember watching this tiny little granny of mine grinding beans on the massive grinding stone to get them to the right consistency. Sadly, I never learnt any of her recipes or methods and have no clue how to prepare proper South Indian fare. So glad I read your post, I’m definitely getting myself a copy 🙂
Deeba @ PAB
Of course I remember. You told me when we chatted forever in Sydney. What fun to connect over grinding stones too! Hope the girls are well! Big hugs Shaz!
Alli@peasepudding
It’s both sounds and looks amazing
Jen Laceda
I’m trying these lentil fritters! I love Indian flavours!