Dosa A thin, crispy pancake made from fermented rice and lentil batter, often served with sambar (a lentil stew) and coconut chutney.
Dosa is a beloved South Indian dish known for its thin, crispy texture and delightful tangy flavor. Made from a fermented batter of rice and urad dal (black gram), Dosa is a type of savory pancake that is typically served with a variety of accompaniments like coconut chutney, sambar (a lentil-based stew), and spicy potato filling. It’s a staple in South Indian cuisine, often enjoyed as breakfast or a light meal. The fermentation process gives Dosa its unique flavor and makes it a healthy and easily digestible dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice (preferably parboiled or regular long-grain rice)
- 1/2 cup urad dal (split black gram)
- 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Water for soaking and grinding
- Oil or ghee for cooking
Instructions:
Soak the Ingredients:
- Rinse the rice and urad dal separately under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Soak the rice and urad dal (with fenugreek seeds if using) in enough water for at least 6 hours or overnight.
Grind the Batter:
- Drain the soaked rice and urad dal.
- Using a blender or wet grinder, grind the urad dal into a smooth, fluffy batter, adding water as needed.
- Grind the rice into a slightly coarse batter with a consistency similar to the urad dal batter.
- Combine both batters in a large bowl, add salt, and mix well. The batter should have a pouring consistency but not be too thin.
- Cover the bowl and let the batter ferment in a warm place for 8-12 hours or overnight, until it has doubled in volume and has a slightly sour aroma.
Cook the Dosa:
- Heat a non-stick pan or a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Lightly grease the pan with a few drops of oil or ghee.
- Stir the fermented batter gently. If it’s too thick, add a little water to reach a pourable consistency.
- Pour a ladleful of batter onto the center of the pan and quickly spread it out in a circular motion with the back of the ladle to form a thin pancake.
- Drizzle a few drops of oil or ghee around the edges of the dosa.
- Cook until the edges start to lift and the bottom turns golden brown and crispy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- If desired, flip the dosa and cook the other side for another 30 seconds for a softer texture. Otherwise, fold the dosa in half or roll it up and remove it from the pan.
Serve:
- Serve the dosa hot with coconut chutney, sambar, or your preferred filling, such as spicy mashed potatoes.
Nutritional Information (per serving, 1 plain dosa without filling):
- Calories: ~120-150 kcal
- Proteins: ~3-4g
- Carbs: ~20-25g
- Fiber: ~1-2g
Nutritional Summary:
Dosa is a relatively low-calorie dish with a good balance of carbohydrates and protein. It is light and easy to digest, thanks to the fermentation process, which also enhances the nutritional value by increasing the bioavailability of vitamins