Dal Vada with Aashu
Dal Vada
“I’m a firm believer that nostalgia and the story behind a meal plays a large role in its perception. For that reason, Dal Vada, or fried spiced lentil fritters, remain one of my favorite meals - specifically from a street food vendor “Ambika” in Ahmedabad, India. Served with chopped onions and chilies, packaged up in yesterdays newspaper, this is the perfect snack on a rainy monsoon day. There’s a reason this shop has been around for generations, with my father having frequented the stall after school when he was a child. It’s simple, fresh, and has the perfect taste of flavor and nostalgia.”
Aastha’s Thoughts
Living in India when I was younger, I remember eating Dal Vada with a cup of tea on rainy monsoon days. I remember one specific occasion where I had went on a super muddy hike in the rain with my dad and afterwards, we celebrated with Dal Vada at a street stand. The spice of the chili and the onions pair with the crispy fritters perfectly. When I went to India recently, my family was so excited to eat the fresh “Ambika” Dal Vadas in my grandmothers home. They were absolutely delicious. Even as I type this, my mouth is watering . . .