Gluten free, vegan and protein rich sandwich that is crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy inside!
Do you plan your weekly meals? It is such a good habit, but the foodie in me makes me a ‘spur of the moment’ kinda cook. Ideas for the week start forming when I see the fresh veggies and fruit at the market or like this week when I soaked urad dal knowing I wanted to make something protein rich, but thinking I will figure out later what I want to make with it.
In an earlier post I had a picture of commonly used dals in Indian cooking, including urad dal that can be seen here. Urad dal is so rich in protein and fiber and when it is soaked, ground and fermented, the health advantages stack up even more. This dal along with rice is generally used to make dosas, idlis, vadas etc…
Medu Vada is traditionally deep fried and is crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. I wanted the same textures and tastes without the deep frying, hence this experiment.
I soaked teh urad dal and added fresh peeled ginger and green chilies I ground it. This was my basic mixture. I made some medu vada waffles with it like the Kothimbir Vadi Waffle. They come out super crisp and scrumptious too.
But I wanted to experiment making sandwiches with a vegetarian filling. So tried the sandwich maker and was very happy with the result. I made a few open faced sandwiches too.
Once you have the basic batter ready, you can make the sandwiches in no time. Kids would be happy to eat a grilled cheese medu vada sandwich…and so would I….I need to make more of that basic batter…:)
Medu Vada Sandwich
Ingredients-
- 1 cup urad dal
- 1/2 inch fresh ginger root, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 Thai chili peppers (or to taste)
- Salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
For the filling-
- ½ teaspoon coconut oil
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/8 teaspoon asafetida powder (hing)
- 1 tablespoon cashew pieces
- ½ cup green peas. I used defrosted frozen peas
- ½ cup shredded carrot
- ½ tablespoon raisins or craisins
- Salt to taste
About 2 teaspoons coconut oil to grease the sandwich pan.
Chutney and/or ketchup to serve.
To make the Medu Vada Sandwich-
- Wash the urad dal changing the water several times until the water is clear. Soak the dal in plenty of water so it is submerged in the water. Keep it soaked for 3 to 8 hours.
- Drain reserving some water for grinding the dal with the ginger and green chilies. Blend it to a smooth paste in the blender using only as much water as needed to grind the dal. The batter consistency is similar to that of idli batter or cake batter. Cover and set aside for fermenting for a minimum of 4 to 6 hours in the summer to 8 to 10 hours in the winter.
- To make the filling, heat the coconut oil in a pan and fry the cashew pieces for a minute or so. Add the green peas and stir for 12 minutes. Add the shredded carrots, salt and raisins/craisins and stir. Cook for another minute and remove from heat.
- To the fermented batter, add the salt and the baking soda and stir vigorously.
- Grease the electric sandwich maker with ½ teaspoon of the coconut oil and heat it. Add the batter in the pockets until half filled. Add the filling and top with more batter to cover the filling.
- Close the sandwich maker and let the batter cook until the indicator light comes on, about 3 to 4 minutes. Open and remove hot and crispy sandwiches that are cooked fluffy inside.
- Repeat with the rest of the batter and filling.
- Enjoy with chutney and / or ketchup.
Notes-
- Individual sandwich maker timings will vary.
- Cheese filling is also a hit with kids as well as adults.
Enjoy some Medu Vada Sandwiches this weekend!
Love,
<3
Sandhya
Wow, amazing 😊👌
Thanks so much Rita!
This looks yummy and something different, do need to try Sandhya
Thanks Jayashree!
Sounds innovative! I like this fusion cooking. 🙂
Thanks so much Megala! <3
This is really interesting… perfect for my tea 😊
It sure is Jyo! Do try it.
Looks too tasty
Thanks so much!
Sandwich maker – a kitchen gadget I don’t have! It looks and sounds great to me especially since you didn’t fry them.
I had not used my sandwich maker in a long time either Judi and make paninis more often 🙂
This batter makes amazing savory Belgian waffles as well- you can add black pepper to the batter if you like . Truth be told, the Belgian waffles were so crisp and yummy that we gobbled them up and i fgured I would make some more for pictures. But after we ate the waffles my Belgian waffle maker shorted and tripped the fuse 🙂 I put my thinking hat on again and am glad I used that sandwich maker 🙂 Adding veggies as filling made it extra yummy.
Actually I have a panini press but I like the triangle shape!
Looking at this scrumptious sandwich, I wish I hadn’t given away my sandwich maker when we downsized 🙁 All the ingredients sound so healthy and yummy.
Thanks for your sweet words Loretta. I had not used my sandwich maker in a long time either. You know how necessity becomes the mother of invention….i first made some waffles with the batter and they turned out superb…but then my Belgian waffle maker shorted…and I had not taken any photos. So decided to try the sandwich maker with a filling to go inside the batter. Glad I tried this as they were a hit!
Now, this is really innovative. Who can think about the sandwich from medu wada batter? I guess this needs to be tried. It is healthier than vada because it is not deep fried.
Yes do try it Arv! Thanks for your kind words.
Reblogged this on frankensportblog.
Thank you so much!
Awesome 😍
Such a creative idea! Looks awesome 🙂
I’m more of a planner Sandhya than a spur of the moment cook – but sometimes this can stifle creativity – so lots to learn from you!
Thanks Laura. I am learning so much from you too!
This is awesome, Sandhya! I love the batter. I have to have some sort of plan during the week, but I always change it. I’m more of a spur of the moment cook too. I love the creative aspect of it. I hope you’ve been doing well, my friend! 😀 Have a great Saturday!
Reblogged this on Idli and Medu vada suppliers in Mumbai and commented:
How to Make Medu Vada Sandwich ?
Thanks for sharing. Check out the recipe on my blog link.
Gluten free and vegan, protein power packed sandwich is definitely a breakfast time treat Sandhya. It’s turned out perfect golden and crisp.
Who can think of making medu Vada sandwich but you. Fabulous share.
Thanks so much Lata! I truly appreciate your kind words.
WOW, what an innovative way to make sandwich out of vada batter. LOVE it. Thanks for the brilliant idea – will definitely try it out for the family.
Thanks so much Pavani for your sweet words. Hope your family likes it too.
Thats awesome to make a unique dish in a unique manner. With very less use of oil, a delicious sandwich is ready in no time.
Thanks so much dear!
Wow that’s indeed a wonderful fusion.
I never could have guessed that this sandwich was made with medhu vada batter.
Thanks so much Sapana!
I just can’t take my eyes off the sandwiches…awesome recipe, brilliant idea and so innovative. The sandwiches just look as though they are made form bread slices.
Thanks so much Mayuri!
Wow! The humble Medu Vada batter turned into a sandwich sounds like an interesting idea. The sandwiches are looking superbly made. Wish I could grab some from the screen itself …
Thanks Anshu!
Such an innovative one Sandhya. I have never tried putting it in the sandwich maker, must do it. But I never ferment the medu wada batter, I usually grind it and use it. I think for this fermentation is necessary.
Thanks Jayashree. I will also try it without fermenting next time.
Such a great way to reduce calories of medu vada in this sandwich version. Crispy and soft same time..yum!
Thanks Jagruti!
Sandhya its WOW !!!! Such an innovative way to make sandwich using the batter of medu vada. I will definitely try this out next time 🙂 BRILLIANT one !!
Thanks so much Sasmita! Do let me know how you like it.
Wow, who could have come with an idea medu vada sandwich? This is a genius idea. The sandwich looks great
Wow! what an innovative way to enjoy traditional medu vada. The texture and colour looks lovely.
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much dear Lathiya!