Besan Dahi Bhalla ~ Gramflour Dumplings in Yogurt Sauce

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My intention of signing up for this month’s Blogging Marathon, which is in its edition #101 (wow!) was my usual thought – of pushing myself to cook some dishes and get some motivation to blog. Ramadan is actually a good time to try new recipes, since we have short working time and plenty of sunshine to ensure that we can click in daylight. But then whatever plans I had went totally derailed following the death of my elappa. Somehow, it disturbed my internal peace. It is expected, isn’t it? Somebody who you think is too young to depart from the world is not considered so by the Almighty. That makes me think how vulnerable life is. We plan days and years ahead, when we have no clue if we will even live to see that moment…

 

However, I didn’t want to withdraw. There was enough time to recover and recuperate. At times, my mind feels numb but then life tells us to move on. For this week, I had chosen the theme “Cooking with Besan”. Besan is something that is so much used in Indian cooking, though for us, it is synonymous with pakvadas. It is not used much in our cooking, so I wanted to explore this ingredient. I had decided in my mind that I would make a snack, a main course and a dessert with this ingredient. Hopefully, I have been able to stick to my thoughts for this theme…

 

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I always thought that dahi bhallas were made with urad dal till I saw this post from a fellow blogger, regarding the snack she had made for her Iftar. I was very intrigued – it would have tasted like pakodas in a yogurt sauce. I immediately googled and went through a few recipes, which were very similar to each other, and got to making mine. I am so glad I found a replacement for my favorite dahi bhallas, which I am still scared to try. We totally loved it and the little leftovers that were there, I saved it in a airtight container and had it for dinner the next day night too.

 

The process start with frying the besan bhallas. Try to drop the batter into small rounds so that you have them just for a mouth. My bhallas were humongous, but I have no complaints. If you wish, you can directly top them with yogurt without soaking, but I love the flavor of the salted water so went ahead with it. I am someone who loves to be generous with the toppings. Lots of sweetened yogurt, all that crunch from the onions and tomatoes, and all that flavor from the chaat masala and the sauces – just adds layers to the snack. If you have some sev in your pantry, lavishly spread them too! Off to this simple recipe…

 

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5 from 3 votes

Besan Dahi Bhalla ~ Gramflour Dumplings in Yogurt Sauce

Course Snacks
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6
Author Rafeeda

Ingredients

  • FOR BHALLAS:
  • 1 cup besan chickpea flour, sieved
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/4 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin powder
  • A pinch of hing asafoetida
  • Salt to taste
  • Water as required for batter
  • Oil for deep frying
  • FOR SOAKING:
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • FOR TOPPING:
  • 1 1/2 cup yogurt increase if you want more
  • 2 heaped tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 onion minced
  • 1/2 to mato minced
  • 3 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
  • Chaat masala and red chilli powder as required
  • Green chutney and tamarind chutney as required I used store bought

Instructions

  • Whisk into the besan all the dry ingredients. Add water little by little and make a thick batter, that can be dropped by spoonfuls. Set aside for 15 minutes.
  • Heat oil for deep frying. Drop a little of the batter to check if it is hot enough - if the batter sizzles and pushes up, it is ready to fry. Drop spoonfuls and fry the sides till golden brown. Set aside on a kitchen towel to drain the oil. I made around 18 bhallas with this mixture.
  • Mix the salt into the warm water and soak the warm ballas. Keep for around 5 minutes. Squeeze out excess water and keep on a dish.
  • Whisk the yogurt with the sugar and salt. Pour on top of the bhallas.
  • Sprinkle all the other toppings over the yogurt. Serve immediately.

 

 

Check out the Blogging Marathon page to see what the other Blogging Marathoners are doing this BM#101.

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Join the Conversation

  1. This sounds interesting. A closer cousin to our thayir vada 🙂

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thanks a lot Chitra… 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    Besan dahi bhalla sounds new to me and with all that yogurt sauce and chutney it would have been tasted delicious.

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thank you so much Renu…

  3. Have never had besan dahi bhalle. Sounds very tasty. Will definitely try these.

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thank you so much Taruna…

  4. This is an instant version as against the more time consuming dahi vada. And love all the layers of indulgence in the dish.

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thank you so much Rajani…

  5. Yes it is a interesting version of Dahi wada..next time you make add spinach, make them more healthy, in fact check my site for Paalak Dahiwada..you will love them. chats are a favorite with me and I am drooling early morning:))

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      I love your version of adding palak! What a lovely idea! Will surely try… Thanks a lot Vaishali… 🙂

  6. So sorry for your loss Rafee. But then life continues. This version of dahi balla is so interesting. Those crispy besan vadas with yogurt must taste incredible.

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thank you so much Gayathri…

  7. This needs no planning and is an instant one when one feels like eating dahi bhalla. 🙂

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thank you so much Suma… 🙂

  8. Besan Dahi bhalle , also known as Besan ki dahi wali pakori, is another version of urad dal dahi vada. many people in U. P make this version.. this looks so inviting, I am tempted to make it soon.

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thank you so much Swati…

  9. Love this easy and instant version of dahi bhalla. Looks so tempting and delicious

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thank you so much Narmadha…

  10. 5 stars

    Besan dahi bhalla are new to me and these can be made right away without any presoaking. Need to try it sometime.

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thank you so much Usha…

  11. 5 stars
    I made this today and it was a hit! It was really delicious will definitely make it again. Thank you!

    1. Rafeeda AR Author says:

      Thank you so much for your feedback! So glad to hear this… <3

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