Hephzibah's Paruppu Vadai

What you need:

• Chana dal split - 2 cups
• Red chilies - 5
• Green chilies - 5
• Onion - 1 large
• Curry leaves - plenty
• Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
• Fennel seeds - 1 tsp
• Hing - 1/4 tsp
• Coriander leaves - a bunch
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - to fry

What you do:

• Wash and soak the dhal for 3 hours along with the red chilies in the same bowl
• Cut onion and green chilies into small cubes
• First grind the cumin seeds, red chilies, half the curry leaves
• Add in the dal and grind in coarsely with no water
• It's okay if the top half of dal is not ground at all.
• Take it out in a mixing bowl
• Add the cut onion, green chilies, remaining curry leaves and chopped coriander leaves
• Add in the fennel seeds and mix well
• Taste for salt and add more if necessary
• Heat up oil in a pan
• Cup the dal/masala mix in between your hands, being careful not to press it hard
• Put it in the hot oil and fry it until golden brown.
• Best with hot tea!