Bharats in Yogurt Sauce

Bharats are one of my favorite dishes. I have never tried making them, but I have been craving them lately and the only person I know who makes them is across the country right now.
They were much easier to make than I thought they would be and they turned out GREAT!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups green split peas (soaked in water 6 hours or overnight)
• 2 cups yogurt
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• pinch of hing (or garlic powder)
• pinch of cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• oil for deep frying (ghee if you have it)
  

Drain the split peas and grind in a blender or food processor until a nice paste is formed and the peas stick together. You can add a few tablespoons of water to the peas if they seem to dry.
Once the peas are ground mix in the spices.

Heat the oil in a deep pot or wok until very hot. Mold the ground pea mixture into approx. 1 1/2 inch balls. Gently place the bharats into the hot oil and cook until dark golden brown (about 10 minutes). When you first place the bharats into the oil do not stir them, they will break apart, wait about 2 minutes before stirring. Drain the bharats on a paper towel and then place in a casserole dish.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a bowl combine the yogurt, sour cream and water. Pour the mixture over the bharats. Cover and bake in oven for 8 minutes just to warm the sauce. Serve warm.

These keep really well in the fridge for a few days. I think they taste better the longer they are allowed to soak in the yogurt.