A Taste Of South India: Masala Dosa

Dosa served on a plantain leaf lined plate,with an array of chutneys and sambhar.

MASALA DOSA
One of the most amazing dishes that embodies both taste and presentation of southern India is Masala Dosa.These thin,crisp and golden rice crepes are stuffed with a tasty mildly-spiced potato mash.Not only delicious on their own,they are a stunning full meal if served with a refreshing coconut chutney or piping hot sambhar,when friends arrive.

Cooking Time : 20 minutes
Servings : 3

INGREDIENTS
2 cups parboiled rice - washed and soaked with rice overnight
1/2 cup rice
3/4 cup white lentils(urad dhuli dal) - washed and soaked with fenugreek seeds overnight
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
Salt to taste
4-5 tablespoons ghee
FOR THE FILLING:
2 large potatoes - boiled in salted water,peeled and roughly mashed
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon bengal gram(channa dal) - washed and dried
1 large onion - sliced
1 green chili - sliced
1/2" piece ginger - grated
6-7 curry leaves
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
6 cashewnuts
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon green coriander(cilantro) - chopped
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons ghee
Oil for frying

METHOD
Grind all the rice in a blender with some of the water it was soaked in to a smooth,fine paste.Do not discard leftover water.Repeat the process with white lentils.Then,mix both the pastes together along with salt in a large container since this batter will rise during fermentation.If the batter appears to be too thick,dilute it with the remaining rice/lentil water.Rest it for four to six hours at a warm place in your kitchen.
For the filling,deep fry cashewnuts in hot oil over a medium flame till golden brown and gorgeous.Keep aside.
Now,start with heating the ghee in a kadhai.When hot,tip in the mustard seeds.As they splutter,add the bengal gram and saute till it is light brown and fragrant.Stir in the onions along with green chili next.Onions will give a subtle sweetness in terms of taste,a bite and crunch in terms of texture.Cook them until they become transparent and add the ginger and curry leaves.Give a good stir,put the mashed potatoes along with turmeric powder.Adjust the salt,remembering that the potatoes have been boiled in salted water.Let the potatoes heat through for three-four minutes.Finish the filling with cashewnuts,lemon juice and cilantro.
To make dosas,warm a dosa tawa/griddle on low heat.Drop a ladleful of the snowy white,fermented batter in the centre,and rapidly move the ladle outwards in circular motion,making a thin crepe.Let it cook for thirty seconds.Drizzle one tablespoon of ghee or so,on and around this crepe,and continue cooking till the side on the griddle turns golden brown.Place one-third of the filling on one half of the dosa,and fold the other half over.Repeat to make two more dosas.Serve with coconut chutney and sambhar,the delicious Indian lentil and vegetable stew as a main meal,or just by itself at tea time!

NOTE

1. Parboiled rice is easily available at supermarkets and stores.You are not required to half cook/parboil the rice,as the name suggests.

2. The water used to soak rice and lentils is reserved for making paste rather than fresh water,since it aids fermentation.

3. Temperature of dosa tawa/griddle is of prime importance.It needs to be warm as spreading the batter on a hot tawa is very difficult.As the temperature of tawa becomes quite high after making a dosa,from the next time some cold water should be sprinkled on it to cool it down.

4. Dosa is to be cooked only on one side.

VARIATION
Omit the potato filling to make plain dosa.