Bhajaniche Vade

The whole Shravan month is considered to be an auspicious month in Hindus. The Mondays are considered as auspicious when Hindus fast for Lord Shiva. These are known as Shravani Somwars. Tuesdays are dedicated to Goddess Gauri where Mangala Gaur is worshipped for initial 5 years of marriage by newly wedded women. 

People who take 'Dhanya Faral' (धान्य फराळ) during the fasts eat these Bhajaniche Vade. Also, Bhajaniche Vade and Curds/White Butter is a common menu for Mangala Gauri Vrat. During olden days when people used to make Bhajani at home for these Vadas, it was coarsely grounded. However, since nowadays we do not make Bhajani at home, readymade Bhajani for Thalipeeth may be used for making these Vade.
 

Yield:  16-18 pieces

Approx. Time: 30-40 minutes 

Ingredients

2 cups Thalipeeth Bhajani 
1/2 tspn Turmeric Powder

1 tspn Red Chili Powder

1/4 tspn Asafoetida

Salt to taste
1/4 cup finely chopped Coriander leaves

2 tbspns Oil for Moan
2 cups Water (Approx. 1 cup+ is required)

Oil for deep frying

Method

Take the Thalipeeth Bhajani in a mixing bowl. Add the Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder, Asafoetida, Salt and chopped fresh Coriander leaves to the flour and mix well. Simultaneously, heat 2 tbspns of Oil and pour it over the flour and mix it. Then add a cup of hot water to the mixture and knead it into a semi-hard dough. Add the water in piecemeal while kneading the dough. The dough should be kneaded nicely. Once done, cover the dough and let it rest for nearly 15 minutes. 

Take a small plastic sheet and dampen it by applying water. Take a small lemon sized portion the dough and place in the centre of the plastic sheet. Grease your fingers with Oil and water and pat the ball to make a circular round shaped Vada. The Vada should be neither thick nor it should be thin, the thickness should be medium. Make a small hole at the center of the Vada. 

Simultaneously heat the Oil in a frying pan. To check whether the Oil is hot enough for deep frying, add a tiny ball of dough in the Oil. If it comes up and starts floating on the surface, then the oil is ready for deep frying. 

Add Vadas one by one to the hot Oil and deep fry it from both the sides over high flame in the beginning and then over medium flame. While deep frying, keep on spilling Oil over the Vada with the help of Spatula which will help it in puffing.  

Once done, drain it on a absorbent paper and Serve hot with Curds or White Butter. 

Notes

1. There is an alternate method of making the dough.  Take 2 cups of water in a pan and heat till it starts bubbling. Turn off the heat and then remove half cup of water and set it aside. Add the flour mixture into the pan and mix well. If the mixture is too dry, add some hot water which you have already kept aside. Rest it for an hour and then knead the dough with the help of Oil and Water. Remaining process is as given above. (This method is known as 'Ukad Kadhne' (उकड काढणे) in marathi. 
2. You may also add Sesame Seeds, or Carom seeds (Ajwain / Owa) or Cumin Seeds or Coriander-Cumin Powder etc. to the dough. Some people also add Goda Masala (Kala Masala) while making the dough.
3. To make Methi flavoured Vada, you may also add finely chopped fresh methi leaves (Fenugreek leaves) to the dough. 
4. If you do not make a small hole in the centre, then it will puff up like a Puri. 
5. If the Vada breaks during frying, then you may add either wheat flour or rice flour to the dough and also increase the seasoning accordingly.

Stepwise Pictures