Sindhi and Punjabi cuisine is very similar. So are the nature of communities.Both communities make some common recipes due to proximity of region. Here is a recipe of simple Sindhi Aloo wadi which is very similar to punjabi wadi curry recipe.
Wadiya and papad have been a cottage industry since ages. Most women would make them at home. Nowadays, with busier life styles, people prefer to buy it from gruhudyog. They are easily available in super markets too, even abroad.
What is wadi masala?
While Maharashtrian aloo wadi or patrode, is actually similar to Gujarati Patra. Both dishes are an appetiser made with taro leaves and chickpea flour. Sindhi and punjabi wadi recipe is a traditional curry made with dried spicy lentil chunks cooked in tomato paste. It is a curry you can make when there are no veggies at home. You just need a tomato gravy for it. Simple yet flavorful.
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What are wadiya?
During Partition, both communities faced a lot. They started with whatever little they had. They worked hard. After partition, they started business and shops. Many became restaurateurs and hoteliers. Some sold golgappas on street. Many started chaat bhandars across India. Many started cottage industries. Prepared home made chichi or khichiya, kachri, aloo papad', alu wadi and moong papad.
Women worked from home while men sold these on bicycles. Even today, you will find this industry thriving in Sindhi colonies across India. I had a wonderful time buying all kinds of Amritsari aloo wadi in the markets during my foodie vacation in Punjab.
How to make wadiyan at home?
- We first prepare a lentil paste.
- Add different flavors and heat. Some like it plain, while others spicy.
- It is then rolled via rolling pin.
- We then mix chunks of lentils with salt.
- Dry them in a dehydrator or in hot summer sun.
- Store in a clean dry container, when they turn hard enough.
Ingredients
- Potato
- Urad dal wadi
- Oil
- Cumin seeds
- Ginger garlic paste
- Onion
- Tomatoes puree
- Coriander powder
- Turmeric powder
- Red chili powder
- Garam masala
- Water
- Salt as per taste
- Fresh green coriander leaves
How to make aloo wadiyan?
1) Peel and quarter the potatoes in small pieces. Keep it aside.
2) Break the dal wadiyan into large pieces.
3) Heat oil in a pressure cooker. Add wadi pieces and sauté them for 4 to 5 minutes or until they become brown. Drain on tissue paper.
4) In the same oil add cumin seeds.
5) Add ginger-garlic paste and onions. Fry until onion masala is golden brown.
6) Add tomato puree and all dry masalas. Mix well and stir fry till the oil separate out.
7) Now, add the chopped potatoes and wadis. Sauté for two minutes.
8) Add water and wait for 3 whistles on medium to slow flame.
9) Open the lid when the pressure has reduced completely.
10) Sprinkle garam masala powder and chopped coriander leaves.
11) Serve hot with roti or white rice.
Equipment
Pressure cooker
Variations
You can add some peas and carrots to the recipe if you like. Another variation for the aloo vadi recipe, is cooking it with lotus stem pieces. You can also cook the curry in an instant pot.
Substitution
If you cannot get Sindhi wadi near you, you can try making the Punjabi wadi curry recipe. Generally, Amritsari wadi is much spicier than others. You may omit red chili Powder while making this curry. You can also speed up the curry, by adding some homemade authentic Indian curry paste and water, after your saute wadi and potatoes.
Related links
FAQ
Mixed dal and lentils along with spice paste.
Sindhi Aloo wadi recipe |aloo wadiyan recipe
Equipment
- pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 1 medium potato
- 100 grams Urad dal wadi
- 3 tablespoon oil
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 2 medium onion chopped finely
- 3 large tomatoes pureed
- 2 teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1 cup water
- ¼ teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- For garnish: Fresh coriander leaves
Instructions
- Peel and quarter the potatoes.
- Break the dal wadiyan into large pieces.
- Heat oil in a pressure cooker. Add wadi pieces and sauté them for 4 to 5 minutes or until they become brown. Drain on tissue paper.
- In the same oil add cumin seeds.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and Onion. Fry until well brown.
- Add tomatoes and all dry masalas. Mix well and fry till the oil separate out.
- Now, add potatoes and wadis. Sauté for two minutes.
- Add water and wait for 3 whistles on medium to slow flame.
- Open the lid when the pressure has reduced completely.
- Sprinkle garam masala powder and fresh coriander.
- Serve hot with roti or white rice.
Notes
You may choose not to fry the wadi, if you want to go low oil. However, it might break/crumble them more while cooking wadi aloo recipe.
Food safety
- Check wadi by breaking it into pieces. In case, it gets old, it may get spoilt or have some.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Always reheat your food left overs before you consume.
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