1. Soak the dal with red chilies for 2 hours. Drain and grind to stiff, coarse paste.
2. Add rest of the ingredients and mix well.
3. Heat oil for deep frying. It should be just moderately hot.
4. Take a piece of plastic sheet and grease it lightly with oil.
5. Place about 3 Tbsp of the vadai mixture on it.
6. Flatten to a disc, about � cm thick.
7. Transfer it carefully into the oil.
8. Shape 3 or 4 more vadas and drop into the oil.
9. Fry on moderate heat till the vadas are cooked and golden brown.
10. Well made masala vada is crisp on outside and soft inside.

Makes: 12 to 14 Vadais