Dhal vade (parippu vade, also spelled vada, vadai, wade) is the quintessential street food of south India and Sri Lanka. Whenever something is sold at street corners, train stations, rest stops and cricket games, you know that it must be really, really good. (Don’t you think that all over the world, street food always ends up being more fun than the “proper” meal?) I like to eat my vades with mango chutney, and I like to serve them at parties. Nothing is guaranteed to animate your crowd like tasty morsels of food from a far away country. The guests stand in line excited to try, they ask questions, they want to know the history of the dish, they come back for more. Didn’t I mention that street food is so much more fun -- and needles to say, compared to these pricy lamb chops you had in mind, incredibly budget friendly.

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