First boil the water in a pan. Add oil and salt. Add rava in parts and stir continuously on a medium to low flame. Let the rava completely dissolve in the water. Cook for a few minutes till it absorbs the water. Cover and let it simmer for 2 minutes.

Transfer this to a bowl and cool it down slightly. Add chopped green chilli, curry leaves, crushed pepper, ginger paste, curd(optional), lemon juice, rice powder (for crunchiness), chopped onion and cumin seeds.

Mix well and adjust the quantity of water to make a workable dough. Grease the palms with a little oil and make a ball, flatten it and then make a hole in the central part giving it a shape of doughnut.

Drop/Place it in the hot oil in a preheated pan. Fry at medium flame so that it can be completely cooked from inside. Fry all the vadas in the same manner till they get crispy golden brown. It's ready. Serve with sambar or chutneys.