A family recipe for fresh cilantro croquettes: finely chop cilantro, mix with flour and spices, steam, then pan fry to crispy perfection! These super delicious kothimbir vadi or cilantro croquettes are quentissential to typical Mumbai food experience.
My mother-in-law, who visits us frequently, is from Mumbai. For years, during each visit she makes these delicious kothimbir vadi for us to enjoy. This year I thought it would be great for me to learn her secret recipe. She was super excited to make them with me.
We started with buying the freshest cilantro bunches. Then gathered all healthy ingredients: gram flour, rice flour, red chili powder, turmeric, sesame seeds and fennel seeds.
She cut off and discarded the bottom one inch of the cilantro bunches, washed them a few times to get rid of any sand in them. After getting rid of the excess water she chopped the cilantro finely.
Next we mixed all the other ingredients and added some salt to taste.
Adding a little water at a time, she then formed a soft dough.
After applying a few drops of oil to her hands she pressed the dough carefully into 3 pretty croquettes 2 inches wide and long enough to fit the pot.
She carefully placed them in a well oiled steamer pot rack. The dough is very soft so it needs to be handled carefully.
On medium heat, the croquettes were steamed until a wooden sewer inserted in the center, came out clean. At this point the kitchen was filled with the delicious aroma of the dish. I could hardly wait to try them! We could have just stopped here and ate them just steamed but I wanted to learn her complete recipe so we continued. We allowed to let them cool for 10 mins and then cut them into circular discs.
We put a griddle on medium heat, spread a little bit of oil on it and then lined up all the cut discs on it. Sprinkled some more sesame seeds and then cooked them until both sides were crispy and golden brown.
At this time, some of the croquettes started disappearing but I luckily she made enough for the rest of the family.
Recipe:
Prep time: 15 mins Cooking time:20 mins Total time: 35 mins
Ingredients:
6-8 cups loosely packed cilantro
1 – 1/2 cup gram flour (besan)
1/2 cup rice flour
1 tbsp red chili powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
2 tbsp sesame seeds
1/2 tbsp fennel seeds
2 tbsp cooking oil
salt to taste
Directions:
- Cut bottom one inch of the cilantro bunches and discard. Wash remaining cilantro few times to get rid of any sand in it. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess water. Chop it finely and put it in a big mixing bowl.
- Add half of the sesame seeds and all other ingredients(except cooking oil) to the cilantro and mix well. With a little bit water at a time make soft dough. Apply a few drops of oil to the hands and mould the dough carefully into 3 croquettes 2 inches wide and long enough to fit the pot. Carefully place them in a well oiled steamer steam pot rack.
- On medium heat, steam the croquettes for 20 minutes. Turn the heat off and allow them cool for 10 mins. Cut them into circular discs.
- Put a griddle on medium heat, put a little bit of oil and then line up all the cut discs on the pan. Sprinkle some more sesame seeds and then cook them until both sides are crispy and golden brown. Serve hot.
Enjoy!
Author: Archana
Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
kavitaparvathi says
Yum yum
Mine in drafts coming soon.. Yours look awesome n tempting..
Archana says
Thank you kavita! I will look forward to your version of this recipe
healthyindiankitchen says
Excellent recipe by your mom-in-law Archana! These vadis look lovely, moist and delicious. I will give it a try. I am sure my family is going to love them 🙂
Archana says
Thank you Mona! Please let me know how you like them.
payel says
They look super delicious, I was brought up in Kolkata ,we never knew any recipes like that,this is very heathy way to eat snacks! Thanks for sharing your beautiful family recipe!I will definitely try this .
Archana says
Thank you Payel! You can use up a ton of cilantro in this recipe. I am sure you will love it.
payel says
I love cilantro,I use it in almost everything..Sure I will.Thank you Archana!
Archana says
Me too!
Sumith Babu says
These cilantro croquettes looks amazing!! Would like to try this:))
Archana says
Thank you Sumith! Please let me know how you like them.
Deepak Singh says
So much of love involved in the process, what would have been the results, I wonder! Thanks for the visit and follow.
Archana says
Thank you Deepak!
srividhya says
Love this Archana.. Its still in my todo list. I need to give it a try.
Archana says
Thank you Srividya! Let me know how you like them!
Sandhya says
Archana, kothimbir wadi is a favorite of mine too. Great step by step pics!
Nandini says
Lovely recipe Archana. I am sure MIL had her special touch 🙂
Archana says
She sure did Nandini, thank you!!
Monika says
Love it!!
Archana says
Thank you Monika!!
Rhythm says
I just love eating this ?
Archana says
Thank you! They are lip smacking.
Cooking For The Time Challenged says
This sounds awesome!
Archana says
They are petty awesome!
Cooking For The Time Challenged says
?
ashu@ashstylegourmet says
Hi Archana, Thanks for the like on my post. This is a yummy post and lovely recipe pictures :), I posted a similar post this evening, essentially I am used to making Kothimbir Vadi another way, now both the methods are posted.
It is always a special touch added when a recipe is learnt from elders of the family, happy for you that you could learn it from your MIL.
Glad to connect with you here :).
ashu
Archana says
Thank you Ashu! I will love to learn your method too!
Happily Tanned says
Crispy and delicious! Loved the pictures. I am gonna try this one
Archana says
Thank you! Very typical maharashtrian dish!
Medha Rajamanur says
Motivated only because MOC had this recipe and I tried for my party. Another very easy and great recipe that comes out very well, guests loved it.
I only wish I had bags full of chopped cilantro ready. Any remedy for that Archana 😉
Archana says
Hi Medha! I am so happy that you made this traditional Maharashtrian delicacy. It always sure to impress your guests. I wish I had a easy way around using fresh chopped cilantro. Only suggestion is to make them ahead of time! They freeze well too!
Meera mehta says
MEERA says
August 7, 2019 at 1:45 am
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
U can clean, wash and chop the cilantro a day or more ahead. For that ,make sure you drain out all water and spread them on a paper or cloth till well-dried but not shrunk. This can b stored for several
Days in a container in the fridge. U can line the container with tissue or wrap the cilantro and then put it in the container.
It will b green as far as u have used the process with fresh leaves
REPLY
Archana says
Thank you Meera! I agree prepping cilantro ahead of time is a good idea.
Srini says
Hi Archana,
Great appetizer ! Have you tried steaming in Instant Pot ? Would you recommend 20 min for Instant Pot ?
Archana says
Hi Srini! Yes, steam for 10-15 mins in the Instant Pot