There is seldom anyone who would tell you that they don't prefer to munch on fritters or what we popularly call, crispy pakodas! And given the number and variety of fritters that are prevalent in every state, it is hard to steer away from them when snacktime is being considered! If you are visiting someone in the evening, you can expect tea and fritters to welcome you all! So, next time you have guests in the house, have ram laddoo prepared for them, a famous Delhi street-style pakoda. Let's get started then?
A glimpse into what ram laddoo is all about
The term laddo can be misleading as this is not a sweet dish that we are referring to! Ram laddoo is a famous street-style fritter that originated in Delhi and gained much love from everyone who can't get enough of pakodas. Initially, we too assumed that this was some kind of a sweet laddo that everyone was talking about but then this turned out to be a delicious chaat which almost made us go gaga over the platter. So let us tell you from the very beginning, that this is not the classic laddo or sweet dish we are referring to, but marvelous chaat from the streets of Delhi.
And guess what, this is a fully vegetarian snack so you can have it on the day of your religious fasting and so on. No garlic or onion is used in this recipe. And if you skip adding asafoetida, the recipe becomes gluten-free as well.
Learn more about the ram laddu recipe
Ram laddoo is most commonly prepared with chana and moong daal paste. Plus, you will need freshly grated radish for the toppings. Along with chutney and some sev. This is such a gorgeous dish that you will regret missing out on this stellar chaat recipe.
There are several versions of Ram laddoo that you will come across but do you know what is that one thing which remains constant? Yup, it is the use of the grated laddoo that makes this one stand out among the rest of the chaat. When paired with masala chai, your evening is set! Well, if it is monsoon and you are craving chaat then this has to be the one! Irrespective of whether you are having guests over for tea or not, make the Ram laddoo anytime you want and relish to your heart’s content.
Apart from radish which is the specialty of this dish, you can of course use other ingredients for toppings like chutneys, sev, papdi, and so on. The combination of green chutney with red chutney turns out to be a brilliant idea for contrasting the flavor of spicy and sweet. The grated mooli or radish gives a distinct crunchiness to your dish and that is the USP of this Ram laddoo chaat, so you can't miss out on this one.
The golden crispy pakodas topped with chutneys, sev, papdi, and crunchy radish are surely going to make you drool, my friend! So get ready for the divine experience of grasping a bite of this snack.
Learning to make Ram laddoo
Now let's get down to business, shall we? Here are some tips to make the most delectable and flavorful ram laddoo at home. Soak the lentils first! We would always ask you to soak it the night before and rinse it a couple of times before you do that. Allow the lentils to remain soaked in the water for at least five hours but overnight is always the best choice. One can combine both moong and chana or you can simply skip moong if it is not available in the house.
Drain the water once done and add it to the grinder. You shall need a blender jar to make a fine paste of the same. Don't miss out on herbs like ginger which is first peeled and then chopped! Chopped green chilis accompanied by cumin seeds and asafoetida are used in this one.
Mix them well in the blender and create a fine paste in the absence of water. Once your blended mixture is ready, you can keep it aside and focus on the chutney.
Next up, you need to fry the lentil fritters first. Beat the batter properly so that the fritters turn out fluffy and spongy at the same time. Once the fritters are nice and golden, you can take them out of the hot oil. Next half, all you need to do is assemble the Ram laddoo chaat! Top the fritters with green and tamarind chutney accompanied by the grated radish, coriander, and a dash of lemon juice. And that is how your Ram laddoo chaat is ready to adorn the table and embrace your taste buds!