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    Home » Appetizers

    Kothimbir Vadi

    Published: Jul 21, 2016 · Modified: Aug 31, 2023 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 35 Comments

    34 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Kothimbir Vadi, a savory snack made with fresh cilantro is quintessential to the typical Mumbai food experience. My mother-in-law, who is from Mumbai makes the best Kothimbir Vadi. This year I thought it would be great for me to learn her secret recipe. She was super excited to make them with me.

    mother-in-law sitting outside at table
    Jump to:
    • What is Kothimbir Vadi
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Kothimbir Vadi
    • Recipe

    What is Kothimbir Vadi

    Kothimbir (Dhaniya in Hindi) is a Marathi word for cilantro or fresh coriander leaves and Vadi means small bite-sized cakes. Kothinbir Vadi is a traditional Maharashtrian snack that is made by first steaming the batter made using fresh cilantro, flours, and spices, which is then cut and fried to make a delicious crunchy-savory snack.

    On the blog, I have also shared a modern recipe version of Kothimbir Vadi using the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

    Ingredients

    Kothimbir Vadi used a handful of basic ingredients and lots of fresh cilantro. The dough is made with gram flour, rice flour, red chili powder, turmeric, sesame seeds, and fennel seeds.

    ingredients for kothimbir vadi

    How to Make Kothimbir Vadi

    • Trim and discard the bottom one inch of the cilantro bunches
    • Rinse the cilantro a few times to get rid of any sand in them
    • Pat dry the excess water and then chop the cilantro finely
    chopped cilantro on cutting board with knife
    • Next, add the cilantro, flour, and spices to a large mixing bowl along with salt.
    ingredients mixed with cilantro
    • Mix everything together, rubbing with your hands which will release some of teh moisture from the cilantro. Then add water a little bit at a time and knead a soft dough
    dough for kothimbir vadi
    • After applying a few drops of oil to the palm of your hands.
    • Pressed the dough carefully into three rolls that are long enough to fit the steamer basket.
    kothimbir vadi dough held in mother-in-law hands
    • Carefully place the rolls in a well-oiled steamer basket.
    • Add water to the main pot and bring it to a gentle boil. Then place the steamer basket over the pot and cover.
    kothimbir vadi in steamer pot
    • Cook on medium heat for about 15 to 20 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Turn the heat off.
    • Allow them to cool for 10 minutes before cutting them into circular discs.
    kothimbir vadi roll cut into smaller pieces
    • Place a skillet on medium heat, spread a little bit of oil on it, and then line up the cut Kothimbir Vadi on it.
    • Sprinkle some more sesame seeds and then cook them until both sides are crispy and golden brown. Alternatively, you can also deep fry the Vadi if you like.
    kothimbir vadi on a pan garnished with sesame seeds

    So grateful to have learned this recipe from my mother-in-law and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

    Mother in law holding a platter of kothimbir vadi

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    Kothimbir vadi{Cilantro croquettes}
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    Kothimbir Vadi

    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 8
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Ingredients

    • 6 to 8 cups loosely packed cilantro
    • 1½ cup gram flour besan
    • ½ cup rice flour
    • 1 tablespoon Kashmiri red chili powder Use only 1 teaspoon if using spicier chili powder
    • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
    • ½ tablespoon carom seeds
    • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
    • salt to taste

    Instructions

    • Cut the bottom one inch of the cilantro bunches and discard. Wash the remaining cilantro a few times to get rid of any sand in it.
    • Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess water. Chop them 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. Add a little bit of water at a time to make the dough. The dough should be firm enough to make balls but not too firm otherwise the vadi will be dry.
    • Apply a few drops of oil to the hands and mold the dough carefully into three elongated 2-inch wide croquettes that are just long enough to fit the pot.
    • Carefully place them in a well-oiled steamer rack. Add water to the main pot and place teh steamer on top of it. On medium heat, steam the croquettes for 20 minutes.
    • Turn the heat off and allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Cut them into ¼-inch thick discs.
    • Put a skillet 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.
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

    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.
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    Reader Interactions

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    1. kavitaparvathi says

      July 21, 2016 at 10:12 am

      Yum yum

      Mine in drafts coming soon.. Yours look awesome n tempting..

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 21, 2016 at 5:02 pm

        Thank you kavita! I will look forward to your version of this recipe

        Reply
    2. healthyindiankitchen says

      July 21, 2016 at 10:28 am

      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 🙂

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 21, 2016 at 5:58 pm

        Thank you Mona! Please let me know how you like them.

        Reply
    3. payel says

      July 21, 2016 at 11:44 am

      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 .

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 21, 2016 at 5:59 pm

        Thank you Payel! You can use up a ton of cilantro in this recipe. I am sure you will love it.

        Reply
        • payel says

          July 21, 2016 at 6:22 pm

          I love cilantro,I use it in almost everything..Sure I will.Thank you Archana!

          Reply
          • Archana says

            July 22, 2016 at 3:44 pm

            Me too!

            Reply
    4. Sumith Babu says

      July 21, 2016 at 5:57 pm

      These cilantro croquettes looks amazing!! Would like to try this:))

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 21, 2016 at 6:00 pm

        Thank you Sumith! Please let me know how you like them.

        Reply
    5. Deepak Singh says

      July 22, 2016 at 1:27 am

      So much of love involved in the process, what would have been the results, I wonder! Thanks for the visit and follow.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 22, 2016 at 2:32 am

        Thank you Deepak!

        Reply
    6. srividhya says

      July 22, 2016 at 11:47 am

      Love this Archana.. Its still in my todo list. I need to give it a try.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 22, 2016 at 3:40 pm

        Thank you Srividya! Let me know how you like them!

        Reply
    7. Sandhya says

      July 24, 2016 at 8:48 am

      Archana, kothimbir wadi is a favorite of mine too. Great step by step pics!

      Reply
    8. Nandini says

      July 25, 2016 at 8:23 pm

      Lovely recipe Archana. I am sure MIL had her special touch 🙂

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 26, 2016 at 9:14 am

        She sure did Nandini, thank you!!

        Reply
    9. Monika says

      July 27, 2016 at 2:32 pm

      Love it!!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 27, 2016 at 2:35 pm

        Thank you Monika!!

        Reply
    10. Rhythm says

      August 01, 2016 at 9:23 pm

      I just love eating this ?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        August 01, 2016 at 9:26 pm

        Thank you! They are lip smacking.

        Reply
    11. Cooking For The Time Challenged says

      August 11, 2016 at 12:29 am

      This sounds awesome!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        August 11, 2016 at 11:59 am

        They are petty awesome!

        Reply
        • Cooking For The Time Challenged says

          August 11, 2016 at 12:01 pm

          ?

          Reply
    12. ashu@ashstylegourmet says

      September 02, 2016 at 2:57 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Archana says

        September 02, 2016 at 3:22 pm

        Thank you Ashu! I will love to learn your method too!

        Reply
    13. Happily Tanned says

      September 08, 2016 at 2:34 am

      Crispy and delicious! Loved the pictures. I am gonna try this one

      Reply
      • Archana says

        September 08, 2016 at 10:57 am

        Thank you! Very typical maharashtrian dish!

        Reply
    14. Medha Rajamanur says

      July 21, 2017 at 11:27 am

      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 😉

      Reply
      • Archana says

        July 24, 2017 at 10:25 pm

        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!

        Reply
      • Meera mehta says

        August 07, 2019 at 1:49 am

        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

        Reply
        • Archana says

          August 08, 2019 at 10:00 am

          Thank you Meera! I agree prepping cilantro ahead of time is a good idea.

          Reply
    15. Srini says

      January 20, 2018 at 1:08 pm

      Hi Archana,
      Great appetizer ! Have you tried steaming in Instant Pot ? Would you recommend 20 min for Instant Pot ?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        January 20, 2018 at 7:04 pm

        Hi Srini! Yes, steam for 10-15 mins in the Instant Pot

        Reply
    16. Viji says

      October 30, 2020 at 1:42 pm

      This recipe is a keeper, it is delicious and so healthy! Even my toddler loved it, will be making more often 🙂

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

    Learn More About Me!

    Archana's Essential Indian Instant Pot Cookbook

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